按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
f water。'
But how could the prince give it her when there was no water at hand？ So the lovely maiden flew away。 He split the second bulrush as an experiment and just the same thing happened。
How careful he was of the third bulrush！ He waited till he came to a well； and there he split it open； and out sprang a maiden seven times lovelier than either of the others； and she too said： 'My heart's love； I am yours and you are mine； do give me a glass of water。'
This time the water was ready and the girl did not fly away； but she and the prince promised to love each other always。 Then they set out for home。
They soon reached the prince's country； and as he wished to bring his promised bride back in a fine coach he went on to the town to fetch one。 In the field where the well was； the king's swineherds and cowherds were feeding their droves； and the prince left Ilonka （for that was her name） in their care。
Unluckily the chief swineherd had an ugly old daughter； and whilst the prince was away he dressed her up in fine clothes； and threw Ilonka into the well。
The prince returned before long； bringing with him his father and mother and a great train of courtiers to escort Ilonka home。 But how they all stared when they saw the swineherd's ugly daughter！ However； there was nothing for it but to take her home； and； two days later； the prince married her； and his father gave up the crown to him。
But he had no peace！ He knew very well he had been cheated； though he could not think how。 Once he desired to have some water brought him from the well into which Ilonka had been thrown。 The coachman went for it and； in the bucket he pulled up； a pretty little duck was swimming。 He looked wonderingly at it； and all of a sudden it disappeared and he found a dirty looking girl standing near him。 The girl returned with him and managed to get a place as housemaid in the palace。
Of course she was very busy all day long； but whenever she had a little spare time she sat down to spin。 Her distaff turned of itself and her spindle span by itself and the flax wound itself off； and however much she might use there was always plenty left。
When the queenor； rather； the swineherd's daughterheard of this； she very much wished to have the distaff； but the girl flatly refused to give it to her。 However； at last she consented on condition that she might sleep one night in the king's room。 The queen was very angry； and scolded her well； but as she longed to have the distaff she consented； though she gave the king a sleeping draught at supper。
Then the girl went to the king's room looking seven times lovelier than ever。 She bent over the sleeper and said： 'My heart's love； I am yours and you are mine。 Speak to me but once； I am your Ilonka。' But the king was so sound asleep he neither heard nor spoke； and Ilonka left the room； sadly thinking he was ashamed to own her。
Soon after the queen again sent to say that she wanted to buy the spindle。 The girl agreed to let her have it on the same conditions as before； but this time； also； the queen took care to give the king a sleeping draught。 And once more Ilonka went to the king's room and spoke to him； whisper as sweetly as she might she could get no answer。
Now some of the king's servants had taken note of the matter； and warned their master not to eat and drink anything that the queen offered him； as for two nights running she had given him a sleeping draught。 The queen had no idea that her doings had been discovered； and when； a few days later； she wanted the flax； and had to pay the same price for it； she felt no fears at all。
At supper that night the queen offered the king all sorts of nice things to eat and drink； but he declared he was not hungry； and went early to bed。
The queen repented bitterly her promise to the girl； but it was too late to recall it； for Ilonka had already entered the king's room； where he lay anxiously waiting for something； he knew not what。 All of a sudden he saw a lovely maiden who bent over him and said： 'My dearest love； I am yours and you are mine。 Speak to me； for I am your Ilonka。'
At these words the king's heart bounded within him。 He sprang up and embraced and kissed her； and she told him all her adventures since the moment he had left her。 And when he heard all that Ilonka had suffered； and how he had been deceived； he vowed he would be revenged； so he gave orders that the swineherd； his wife and daughter should all be hanged； and so they were。
The next day the king was married； with great rejoicings； to the fair Ilonka； and if they are not yet deadwhy； they are still living。
＇From Ungarische Mahrehen。＇
Lucky Luck
Once upon a time there was a king who had an only son。 When the lad was about eighteen years old his father had to go to fight in a war against a neighbouring country； and the king led his troops in person。 He bade his son act as Regent in his absence； but ordered him on no account to marry till his return。
Time went by。 The prince ruled the country and never even thought of marrying。 But when he reached his twenty…fifth birthday he began to think that it might be rather nice to have a wife； and he thought so much that at last he got quite eager about it。 He remembered； however； what his father had said； and waited some time longer； till at last it was ten years since the king went out to war。 Then the prince called his courtiers about him and set off with a great retinue to seek a bride。 He hardly knew which way to go； so he wandered about for twenty days； when； suddenly； he found himself in his father's camp。
The king was delighted to see his son； and had a great many questions to ask and answer； but when he heard that instead of quietly waiting for him at home the prince was starting off to seek a wife he was very angry； and said： 'You may go where you please but I will not leave any of my people with you。'
Only one faithful servant stayed with the prince and refused to part from him。 They journeyed over hill and dale till they came to a place called Goldtown。 The King of Goldtown had a lovely daughter； and the prince； who soon heard about her beauty； could not rest till he saw her。
He was very kindly received； for he was extremely good…looking and had charming manners； so he lost no time in asking for her hand and her parents gave her to him with joy。 The wedding took place at once； and the feasting and rejoicings went on for a whole month。 At the end of the month they set off for home； but as the journey was a long one they spent the first evening at an inn。 Everyone in the house slept； and only the faithful servant kept watch。 About midnight he heard three crows； who had flown to the roof； talking together。
'That's a handsome couple which arrived here tonight。 It seems quite a pity they should lose their lives so soon。'
'Truly；' said the second crow； 'for to…morrow； when midday strikes； the bridge over the Gold Stream will break just as they are driving over it。 But； listen！ whoever overhears and tells what we have said will be turned to stone up to his knees。'
The crows had hardly done speaking when away they flew。 And close upon them followed three pigeons。
'Even if the prince and princ