The prince promised to obey her in this, and took his departure. But the young bride sat down and wept bitterly, for she could well foresee the consequences of his journey. When the youth entered his father's palace, there were great rejoicings, as it is easy to imagine, but greatest of all was the joy of the king and queen. A sumptuous feast was then prepared, and all wished the prince welcome home. But the youth would neither eat nor drink, saying he must instantly depart. This to the queen seemed very singular, and she would not allow him to go away fasting. So the prince was at length with many prayers persuaded, and at length prevailed on himself, to taste a peppercorn. From that moment his mind became changed, so that he forgot his fair bride, and all that had passed while he was with the Mermaid. He began then to eat and drink and make merry with his relations. But Messeria sat in the forest till the sun went down, and then, in deep sorrow, betook herself to a little cottage, and begged for shelter of the poor people who dwelt in it. When some time had elapsed, the king wished his son to marry. The prince had no objection, and set out for another kingdom, to pay his court to a fair young princess. A feast was afterwards prepared, at which the healths of bridegroom and bride were drunk, with all kinds of rejoicings and plays. But the fair Messeria journeyed to the palace and prayed to be received as a waiting-maid. Thus she passed in and out of the festive hall, and it may easily be imagined that it was with a heavy heart. But she suppressed her tears, and amid the general joy there was no one that noticed her sorrow. While the wedding was in progress, the table was spread for the guests, and Messeria aided in bringing in the viands. She had with her two doves, that flew to and fro in the hall. When the first course was brought in, she took three grains of wheat and threw them to the doves; but the cock was foremost, and pecked up all the three grains, leaving nothing for his mate. Then said the little dove : "Out upon thee! Thou hast served me As the king's son served Messeria." There was now silence in the hall, and the guests were struck with wonder at the little birds. But the bridegroom grew very thoughtful, enticed the doves to him and caressed them. After some time another course was set on the table, and Messeria helped to bring in the viands. She again cast three grains of wheat to the doves; but, as on the former occasion, the cock pecked up all the three grains, and left nothing for his mate. Then said the little dove : "Out upon thee! Thou hast served me As the king's son served Messeria." Silence again prevailed in the hall, and all the guests listened to the words of the bird; but the prince was singularly affected, and again enticed the little birds and caressed them. When the third course was brought in, Messeria again cast three grains of wheat to her doves, and the cock was again foremost, and pecked up all the three grains, leaving not one for his mate. Then said the little dove: "Out upon thee! Thou hast served me As the king's son served Messeria." Now a deep silence reigned over all the festive hall, and no one knew what to think of this miracle. But when the king's son heard the words of the dove, he awoke as from a dream, and it rushed into his memory how he had rewarded the fair Messeria for all her love. He sprang up from the table, clasped the young serving-maid to his breast, and Isaid that she and no other should be his bride. He then related all the faith and affection that Messeria had proved to him, and everything besides that he had undergone while with the Mermaid. When the king and queen and the several guests had heard his story, they could hardly recover from their astonishment. The stranger princess was now sent back to her family; but Messeria was adorned as a bride, and wedded to the young prince. They lived together for many happy years, virtuously and honourably. But the prince never again forgot the fair Messeria. II. THE KING'S SON AND THE PRINCESS SINGORRA. From Skåne. THERE was once a king who ruled over a powerful kingdom. He was a great warrior, and often lived in the camp, both summer and winter. It happened once, when he was at sea, that his bark stood still on the billowy ocean, and could not be made to move in any direction; though no one knew what held the vessel fast. The king thereupon went to the prow, and saw the Mermaid sitting on the waves by the bow of the ship, and now well knew it was she that stopped its course. He addressed her, and asked her what she required. The Mermaid answered: "Thou shalt never go hence until thou hast promised me the first living being thou meetest on thy own shore." As the king had no other means of releasing his ship, he agreed to the Mermaid's condition, when the bark was instantly free again, the wind filled the sails and was favourable, until the king again landed in his own country. The king had an only son, just fifteen years old, a youth of excellent promise. The young prince was fondly attached to his father, and anxiously longed for his return. When he saw the pendant of his parent's ship fluttering in the breeze, he was overjoyed, and ran down to the strand to bid his father welcome. But when the king saw his son he was sorely grieved; for he remembered the promise he had made to the Mermaid. He, therefore, cast his eyes first on a hog, and then on a goose, that were wandering about on the sea-shore. On entering his castle, he ordered the hog to be thrown into the sea, which was done. The next day, a violent storm arose, the sea raged mountains high, and the hog was cast dead on the shore, close by the king's residence. The king now plainly perceived that the Mermaid was angry, and, therefore, ordered the goose to be thrown into the ocean; but the same took place again, a storm arose, and the dead bird was thrown by the waves upon the strand. The king was now sensible that the Mermaid was resolved to have his only son. But the youth was his father's chief delight, who would not lose him for half his kingdom. But however long the time that elapsed, the king must at last experience the truth of the old proverb, that no one is stronger than his fate." For it happened one day that the youth went down to the strand, to play with other boys of his own age, when suddenly a snow-white hand, with a gold ring on each finger, rose out of the water. The hand seized on the king's son, where he was playing on the shore, and drew him down amid the blue billows. The prince was then conducted through the waters, over many green ways, and rested not until he came to the Mermaid's dwelling. Now we are told that the Mermaid has her abode deep in the bottom of the ocean, and that it is so splendid that it glitters with gold and precious stones, both within and without. The youth now dwelt in the fair mansion, and found there many other royal children. But among the Mermaid's attendants there was a young princess named Singorra. She had resided there for seven long years, and possessed much hidden knowledge. The king's son contracted a strong affection for the fair maiden, and they vowed to each other love and faith, as long as they lived in the world. One day the Mermaid called the youth to her, and said: "I have observed that thy inclination is turned to my attendant Singorra. I will, therefore, propose three labours to thee. If thou performest them all, I will bestow on thee the fair maiden, and grant thee permission to return home to thy family. But if thou failest to do what I propose, thou shalt stay here and serve me for the rest of thy days." The youth was unable to say much in answer. The Mermaid then led him to a large meadow, that was thickly overgrown with green sea-grass, and said to him: Thy first labour shall be to mow all this grass, and set it up again, each blade on its root, so that it may thrive and grow as before. But the whole must be done this evening by sunset." Having thus spoken, she went her way, leaving the youth by himself. The prince now began cutting and cutting; but he had not laboured long before he could very well see that he would never get through his task. So he sat down in the meadow and wept bitterly. While the youth thus sat weeping, the fair Singorra appeared before him, and asked him why he was so afflicted. The The king's son answered: "I cannot but weep. Mermaid has commanded me to mow the whole meadow, and set every blade on its root again. If I have not done it by the time the sun sinks in the forest, I shall lose thee and all the pleasure I have in the world." The maiden replied: "I will help thee, if thou wilt promise to be true to me; for I will never deceive thee." The prince gladly made the promise, adding that he would never break his faith and vow. Singorra then took the sithe, and with it touched the grass, when, in one instant, the whole meadow was mowed, and every little blade of grass fell at once to the ground. She then touched the grass again, and lo! every blade raised itself upon its root, and the meadow was as before. The princess then went her way; but the youth was delighted, and went to his mistress, and announced to her that he had performed the task which she had set him. The next day, the Mermaid called the youth to her again, and said: I will give thee another work to perform. In my stable there stand a hundred horses, and it has not been cleansed within the memory of man. Thou shalt now go thither, and make it clean. If thou hast done it this evening by sunset, I will stand firm to my promise." Having so spoken, she went her way, and left the youth alone. When he came to the stable, he could very well see that he should never perform the task; and, therefore, sat down and wept bitterly. 66 66 The He had not sat long, when the fair Singorra appeared before him, and inquired the cause of his sorrow. king's son answered: I cannot refrain from weeping. The Mermaid has commanded me to cleanse her stable, if I will not lose thee and every other joy. But the stable must be cleansed this evening by sunset." The maiden said: "I will help thee, if thou wilt promise to be true to me; for thee I will never deceive." The youth gladly made the promise, and said he would never love any but her. Thereupon Singorra went to the stable door, took down a gold whip that hung on the wall, and with it struck the horse that stood in the farthest corner. The horse instantly got loose, and began scraping the ground with his hoofs, until the whole stable was clean; so that all the hundred horses neighed and stamped for joy. When all was done, |