fowls of heaven was changed to a verdant linden, and the fawn's head to a little nightingale sitting on the linden's summit. But every single small leaf of the tree gave forth a sweet sound, so that their tones together composed a wondrous harmony; and the little nightingale sat among them and sang his lay so beautifully, that all who might hear it would certainly have imagined themselves in heaven.

After that day it did not seem to the princess so tedious to dwell alone on the green isle; for whenever she was sad she had only to go to the musical linden, and her heart became glad. Nevertheless, she could not entirely forget her home, but often sat by the sea-shore, casting many a longing look over the wide ocean, whose billows roll between land and land.

One day, as Lilla Rosa was, according to her custom, sitting by the sea, she observed a splendid bark sailing towards her. On the deck were many bold mariners, and their captain was a king's son. When the vessel came under the island, and the sailors heard the delightful song that resounded over the water, they thought that it must be an enchanted land, and would instantly put out to sea again. But their chieftain said that they should not depart until he had ascertained whence the wondrous song proceeded, and his will prevailed. When the king's son came on land, and heard the music of the linden and the song of the nightingale, he was singularly affected; for it seemed to him that he had never heard anything so exquisite and fascinating. But still more wonderful did it appear to him, as he proceeded further, when, under the verdant linden, he saw a damsel sitting, whose hair shone like gold, and whose face was as fair as the driven snow. The prince greeted the beautiful maiden, and asked whether she ruled over the island. Lilla Rosa answered in the affirmative. The prince again inquired whether she were a sea-damsel or a human being, whereupon she related to him the adventures she had passed through, and how she had been cast by a storm on the uninhabited island; she also informed him of her family and descent. At this the king's son was highly gratified, and could not sufficiently admire the young maiden's gentleness and beauty. They dis

coursed long together, and their conversation ended by the prince's proposal that Lilla Rosa should accompany him home and be his queen, to which she gave her consent. They then sailed from the island, and arrived in the prince's dominions. But Lilla Rosa took with her the verdant linden, and placed it near the royal palace; and the linden-leaves played and the nightingale sang, so that the whole neighbourhood was delighted.

When Lilla Rosa had been married some time, she gave birth to a male child. She then thought of her aged father, and sent intelligence to him of all she had undergone; but did not divulge to any one that the queen had been the cause of all her sorrows. At these tidings the old king was overjoyed, as were also his people; for Lilla Rosa was beloved by all. But the queen and Long Leda were sorely vexed that Lilla Rosa was still living, and took counsel together how they should effect her destruction.

The false stepmother,. then, having prepared herself accordingly, said that she would go and visit Lilla Rosa. On her arrival she was received in the most friendly manner; for the king's daughter was unwilling to bear in remembrance all the evil her stepmother had perpetrated against her, and the queen herself feigned great friendship and spoke many kind words. One evening the stepmother said to Lilla Rosa that she would make her a present, as a memorial of love and friendship. The stepdaughter, suspecting no treachery, thanked her for the gift, and the queen drew forth a silken sark, every hem of which was embroidered in gold. But the beautiful sark was wickedly enchanted, so that when Lilla Rosa put it on she was suddenly changed to a goose, that flew through the window, and cast itself into the sea. But as the king's daughter had beautiful golden hair, the goose also had golden feathers. At the same moment the linden ceased its playing, and the song of the nightingale was no longer heard; and the whole palace was overwhelmed with sorrow; but most of all was the consort of Rosa Lilla afflicted, and would not be comforted.

At night, when the moon shone, and the king's fishermen were out at sea, looking after their nets, they observed a

beautiful goose with golden feathers, which lay swinging to and fro on the billows. At this sight they greatly wondered, and it appeared to them something miraculous. But one night the beautiful goose swam close to the fishermen's boat, and began to converse with them. After greeting them, it said:

:

"Good evening, fishers; how are things at home in the royal palace? Does my linden play?

Does my nightingale sing?
Does my little son weep?

Does my lord ever make himself merry?"

:

When the fisherman heard this, and recognised the voice of the queen, he was singularly affected, and answered :"At home, in the royal palace, it goes ill: Thy linden plays not,

Thy nightingale sings not,

Thy son weeps both by night and by day,

Thy lord never makes himself merry."

The beautiful goose then sighed, and appeared deeply afflicted. She said :

"Poor I!

Who now float on the blue waves,

And never more can be what I have been.

Good night, fisher; I will come twice again, and then never more."

At the same moment the bird disappeared; but the fisherman returned home, and recounted to the young king, his master, what he had seen and heard.

Thereupon the king commanded that the golden goose should be caught, and promised the fisherman a great reward, if he executed his commission. The man accordingly prepared his snares and other implements, and went out to sea to look after his nets. When the moon had risen, the beautiful golden goose came again swimming on the waves towards his boat. She greeted him, and said :—

"Good evening, fisher; how are things at home in the royal palace? Does my linden play?

Does my nightingale sing?

Does my little son weep?

Does my lord ever make himself merry?"

The fisherman answered as before :

"At home, in the royal palace, it goes ill:
Thy linden plays not,

Thy nightingale sings not,

Thy son weeps both by night and by day,
Thy lord never makes himself merry."

Then was the beautiful goose sorely grieved, and said :— "Poor I!

Who now float on the blue waves,

And never more can be what I have been.

Good night, fisher; I will come hither once again, and afterwards never more."

With these words the bird was about to go its way; but the fishermen were prepared, and hastily cast their snares over it. The goose then began to beat with its wings, and screamed mournfully: "Let go quickly, or hold fast! Let go quickly, or hold fast!" In the same moment it changed its form, and was changed into serpents, dragons, and other savage creatures. At this sight the fishermen trembled for their lives, and let go the snares, so that the bird escaped. When the king heard the result of their attempt he was highly displeased, and said, they ought not to have allowed themselves to be frightened by an illusion. He then

ordered new and stronger snares to be made ready, in order to catch the golden goose, and forbade the fishermen, on pain of death, to let her escape, when she should next make her appearance.

On the third night, when the moon had risen, the king's fishermen again rowed out to sea to look after their nets. They waited a long while, but no golden goose appeared. At length she came floating on the billows, and swam to their boat, greeting them as before :

"Good evening, fishers; how are things at home in the royal palace? Does my linden play?

Does my nightingale sing?

Does my little son weep?

Does my lord ever make himself merry?"

The fisherman answered:

"At home, in the royal palace, it goes ill:

Thy linden plays not,

Thy nightingale sings not,

Thy little son weeps both by night and by day,

Thy lord never makes himself merry."

Then the beautiful goose sighed, and appeared very sorrowful, and said :

"Poor I!

Who now float on the blue waves,

And never more can be what I have been. Good night, fishers. Now I come hither never more."

The goose was then about to go, but the fishermen cast their snares and held her fast. The bird then became very unruly, beat violently with its wings, and screamed: "Let go quickly, or hold fast! Let go quickly, or hold fast!" It then changed its form, and appeared as serpents, dragons, and other dangerous creatures. But the fishermen, dreading the king's wrath, held the snare firmly and fast, and thus succeeded in catching the golden goose, which they conveyed to the king's palace, where it was closely watched, lest it should escape. But the bird was silent and sullen, and would not speak, so that the king's affliction was even greater than before.

It happened, some time after, that an aged woman, of singular aspect, arrived at the royal palace, and begged to speak with the king. The watch answered, as he was commanded, that the king, in consequence of his sorrow, would not converse with any one. But the woman was extremely urgent, and so gained admittance. When she came before the king, he demanded her errand. She

answered: "Sir king, I have been informed that your queen has been transformed into a golden goose, and that you mourn over this great misfortune both night and day. I am now come hither to solve the sorcery and restore your consort to you, provided you will promise to consent to a condition which I shall propose. When the king heard these words, he was exceedingly glad, and asked her what it was she desired. The woman then said: "I have my abode on the declivity of the mountain that lies on the other side of the black river. I now request that you will order a stone wall to be built round the mountain, so that your cattle may not come and annoy me, when they are sent out to graze." This seemed to the king a small request, and he promised readily to grant it, however much he might doubt the old woman's ability to keep her word, according to her engagement.