THE BROAD MAN, THE TALL MAN,
AND THE MAN WITH EYES OF
FLAME
ToC
THE BROAD MAN, THE TALL MAN, AND
THE MAN WITH EYES OF FLAME
In those days the king of a certain country had a daughter,
who was not only exceedingly beautiful but also remarkably
clever. Many kings and princes travelled from far distant
lands, each one with the hope of making her his wife. But
she would have nothing to do with any one of them. Finally,
it was proclaimed that she would marry that man who for
three successive nights should keep such strict watch upon
her that she could not escape unnoticed. Those who failed
were to have their heads cut off.
The news of this offer was noised about in all parts of
the world. A great many kings and princes hastened to
make the trial, taking their turn and keeping watch. But
each one lost his life in the attempt, for they could not prevent,
indeed they were not even able to see, the princess take
her flight.
Now it happened that Matthias, prince of a royal city,
heard of what was going on and resolved to watch through
the three nights. He was young, handsome as a deer, and
brave as a falcon. His father did all he could to turn him
from his purpose: he used entreaties, prayers, threats, in fact
he forbade him to go, but in vain, nothing could prevent him.
What could the poor father do? Worn-out with contention,
he was at last obliged to consent. Matthias filled his purse
with gold, girded a well-tried sword to his side, and quite
alone started off to seek the fortune of the brave.
Walking along next day, he met a man who seemed hardly
able to drag one leg after the other.
“Whither are you going?” asked Matthias.
“I am travelling all over the world in search of happiness.”
“What is your profession?”
“I have no profession, but I can do what no one else can.
I am called Broad, because I have the power of swelling
myself out to such a size that there is room for a whole
regiment of soldiers inside me.”
So saying he puffed himself out till he formed a barricade
from one side of the road to the other.
“Bravo!” cried Matthias, delighted at this proof of his
capacities. “By the way, would you mind coming with
me? I, too, am travelling across the world in search of
happiness.”
“If there is nothing bad in it I am quite willing,” answered
Broad. And they continued their journey together.
A little further on they met a very slender man, frightfully
thin, and tall and straight as a portico.
“Whither are you going, good man?” asked Matthias,
filled with curiosity at his strange appearance.
“I am travelling about the world.”
“To what profession do you belong?”
“To no profession, but I know something every one else is
ignorant of. I am called Tall, and with good reason. For
without leaving the earth I can stretch out and reach up to the
clouds. When I walk I clear a mile at each step.”
Without more ado he lengthened himself out until his
head was lost in the clouds, while he really cleared a mile at
each step.
“I like that, my fine fellow,” said Matthias. “Come, would
you not like to travel with us?”’
“Why not?” replied he. “I’ll come.”
So they proceeded on their way together. While passing
through a forest they saw a man placing trunks of trees one
upon another.
“What are you trying to do there?” asked Matthias, addressing
him.
“I have Eyes of Flame,” said he, “and I am building a
pile here.” So saying he fixed his flaming eyes upon the
wood, and the whole was instantly set alight.
“You are a very clever and powerful man,” said Matthias,
“would you like to join our party?”
“All right, I am willing.”
So the four travelled along together. Matthias was overjoyed
to have met with such gifted companions, and paid
their expenses generously, without complaining of the enormous
sum of money he had to spend on the amount of food
Broad consumed.
After some days they reached the princess’s palace.
Matthias had told them the object of his journey, and had
promised each a large reward if he was successful. They
gave him their word to work with a will at the task which
every one up till then had failed to accomplish. The prince
bought them each a handsome suit of clothes, and when they
were all presentable sent them to tell the king, the princess’s
father, that he had come with his attendants to watch three
nights in the lady’s boudoir. But he took very good care
not to say who he was, nor whence he had come.
The king received them kindly, and after hearing their
request said: “Reflect well before engaging yourselves in this,
for if the princess should escape you will have to die.”
“We very much doubt her escaping from us,” they replied,
“but come what will, we intend to make the attempt and to
begin at once.”
“My duty was to warn you,” replied the monarch, smiling,
“but if you still persist in your resolution I myself will take
you to the lady’s apartments.”
Matthias was dazzled at the loveliness of the royal maiden,
while she, on her side, received the brilliant and handsome
young man most graciously, not trying to hide how much she
liked his good looks and gentle manner. Hardly had the
king retired when Broad lay down across the threshold; Tall
and the Man with Eyes of Flame placed themselves near the
window; while Matthias talked with the princess, and watched
her every movement attentively.
Suddenly she ceased to speak, then after a few moments
said, “I feel as if a shower of poppies were falling on my
eyelids.”
And she lay down on the couch, pretending to sleep.
Matthias did not breathe a word. Seeing her asleep he
sat down at a table near the sofa, leaned his elbows upon
it, and rested his chin in the hollow of his hands. Gradually
he felt drowsy and his eyes closed, as did those of his companions.
Now this was the moment the princess was waiting for.
Quickly changing herself into a dove, she flew towards the
window. If it had not happened that one of her wings
touched Tall’s hair he would not have awakened, and he would
certainly never have succeeded in catching her if it had not
been for the Man with Eyes of Flame, for he, as soon as he
knew which direction she had taken, sent such a glance after
her, that is, a flame of fire, that in the twinkling of an eye her
wings were burnt, and having been thus stopped, she was
obliged to perch on the top of a tree. From thence Tall
reached her easily, and placed her in Matthias’ hands, where
she became a princess again. Matthias had hardly awakened
out of his sleep.
Next morning and the morning after the king was greatly
astonished to find his daughter sitting by the prince’s side, but
he was obliged to keep silent and accept facts as they were, at
the same time entertaining his guests royally. At the approach
of the third night he spoke with his daughter, and begged her
to practise all the magic of which she was capable, and to act
in such a way as to free him from the presence of intruders of
whom he knew neither the rank nor the fortune.
As for Matthias, he used every means in his power to bring
about a happy ending to such a hitherto successful undertaking.
Before entering the princess’s apartments he took his comrades
aside and said, “There is but one more stroke of luck, dear
friends, and then we have succeeded. If we fail, do not forget
that our four heads will roll on the scaffold.”
“Come along,” replied the three; “never fear, we shall be
able to keep good watch.”
When they came into the princess’s room they hastened to
take up their positions, and Matthias sat down facing the lady.
He would have much preferred to remain with her without
being obliged to keep watch all the time for fear of losing her
for ever. Resolving not to sleep this time, he said to himself,
“Now I will keep watch upon you, but when you are my wife
I will rest.”
At midnight, when sleep was beginning to overpower her
watchers, the princess kept silence, and, stretching herself on
the couch, shut her beautiful eyes as if she were really asleep.
Matthias, his elbows on the table, his chin in the palms of
his hand, his eyes fixed upon her, admired her silently. But
as sleep closes even the eyes of the eagle, so it shut those of
the prince and his companions.
The princess, who all this time had been watching them
narrowly and only waiting for this moment, got up from her
seat, and changing herself into a little fly, flew out of the
window. Once free, she again changed herself into a fish, and
falling into the palace well, plunged and hid herself in the
depths of the water.
She would certainly have made her escape if, as a fly, she
had not just touched the tip of the nose of the Man with
Eyes of Flame. He sneezed, and opened his eyes in time to
notice the direction in which she had disappeared. Without
losing an instant he gave the alarm, and all four ran into the
courtyard. The well was very deep, but that did not matter.
Tall soon stretched himself to the required depth, and searched
in all the corners: but he was unable to find the little fish, and
it seemed impossible that it could ever have been there.
“Now then, get out of that, I will take your place,” said
Broad.
And getting in at the top by the rim, he filled up all the
inside of the well, stopping it so completely with his huge
body that the water sprang out: but nothing was seen of the
little fish.
“Now it is my turn,” said the Man with Eyes of Flame, “I
warrant I’ll dislodge this clever magician.”
When Broad had cleared the well of his enormous person
the water returned to its place, but it soon began to boil
from the heat of the eyes of flame. It boiled and boiled, till
it boiled over the rim; then, as it went on boiling and rising
ever higher and higher, a little fish was seen to throw itself
out on the grass half cooked. As it touched the ground it
again took the form of the princess.
Matthias went to her and kissed her tenderly.
“You have conquered, my master and husband,” she
said, “you have succeeded in preventing my escape. Henceforth
I am yours, both by right of conquest and of my own
free will.”
The young man’s courtesy, strength, and gentleness, as
well as his beauty, were very pleasing to the princess; but
her father, the king, was not so ready to approve of her
choice, and he resolved not to let her go with them. But this
did not trouble Matthias, who determined to carry her off,
aided by his three comrades. They soon all left the palace.
The king was furious, and ordered his guards to follow
them and bring them back under pain of death. Meanwhile
Matthias, the princess, and the three comrades had already
travelled a distance of some miles. When she heard the steps
of the pursuers she begged the Man with Eyes of Flame to
see who they were. Having turned to look, he told her that
a large army of men on horseback were advancing at a gallop.
“They are my father’s guards,” said she, “we shall have
some difficulty in escaping them.”
Then, seeing the horsemen draw nearer she took the veil
from her face, and throwing it behind her in the direction
of the wind, said, “I command as many trees to spring up
as there are threads in this veil.”
Instantly, in the twinkling of an eye, a high thick forest
rose up between them. Before the soldiers had time to clear
for themselves a pathway through this dense mass, Matthias
and his party had been able to get far ahead, and even to
take a little rest.
“Look,” said the princess, “and see if they are still
coming after us.”
The Man with Eyes of Flame looked back, and replied
that the king’s guards were out of the forest and coming
towards them with all speed.
“They will not be able to reach us,” cried she. And she
let fall a tear from her eyes, saying as she did so, “Tear,
become a river.”
At the same moment a wide river flowed between them
and their pursuers, and before the latter had found means
of crossing it, Matthias and his party were far on in front.
“Man with Eyes of Flame,” said the princess, “look
behind and tell me how closely we are followed.”
“They are quite near to us again,” he replied, “they are
almost upon our heels.”
“Darkness, cover them,” said she.
At these words Tall drew himself up. He stretched and
stretched and stretched until he reached the clouds, and
there, with his hat he half covered the face of the sun. The
side towards the soldiers was black as night, while Matthias
and his party, lit up by the shining half, went a good way
without hindrance.
When they had travelled some distance, Tall uncovered
the sun, and soon joined his companions by taking a mile
at each step. They were already in sight of Matthias’ home,
when they noticed that the royal guards were again following
them closely.
“Now it is my turn,” said Broad; “go on your way in
safety, I will remain here. I shall be ready for them.”
He quietly awaited their arrival, standing motionless, with
his large mouth open from ear to ear. The royal army,
who were determined not to turn back without having taken
the princess, advanced towards the town at a gallop. They
had decided among themselves that if it resisted they would
lay siege to it.
Mistaking Broad’s open mouth for one of the city gates,
they all dashed through and disappeared.
Broad closed his mouth, and having swallowed them,
ran to rejoin his comrades in the palace of Matthias’ father.
He felt somewhat disturbed with a whole army inside him,
and the earth groaned and trembled beneath him as he ran.
He could hear the shouts of the people assembled round
Matthias, as they rejoiced at his safe return.
“Ah, here you are at last, brother Broad,” cried Matthias,
directly he caught sight of him. “But what have you done
with the army? Where have you left it?”
“The army is here, quite safe,” answered he, patting his
enormous person. “I shall be very pleased to return them
as they are, for the morsel is not very easy to digest.”
“Come then, let them out of their prison,” said Matthias,
enjoying the joke, and at the same time calling all the
inhabitants to assist at the entertainment.
Broad, who looked upon it as a common occurrence,
stood in the middle of the palace square, and putting his
hands to his sides, began to cough. Then—it was really a
sight worth seeing—at each cough horsemen and horses fell
out of his mouth, one over the other, plunging, hopping,
jumping, trying who could get out of the way the quickest.
The last one had a little difficulty in getting free, for he
somehow got into one of Broad’s nostrils and was unable to
move. It was only by giving a good sneeze that Broad
could release him, the last of the royal cavaliers, and he
lost no time in following his companions at the top of
his speed.
A few days later a splendid feast was given at the wedding
of Prince Matthias and the princess. The king, her father,
was also present. Tall had been sent to invite him. Owing
to his knowledge of the road and the length of his limbs,
he accomplished the journey so quickly that he was there
before the royal horsemen had time to get back. It was well
for them that it was so, for, had he not pleaded that their
lives might be saved, their heads would certainly have been
cut off for returning empty-handed.
Everything was now arranged to everybody’s satisfaction.
The princess’s father was delighted to know that his daughter
was married to a rich and noble prince, and Matthias
generously rewarded his brave travelling companions, who
remained with him to the end of their days.
THE HISTORY OF PRINCE SLUGOBYL
OR
THE INVISIBLE KNIGHT
ToC
THE HISTORY OF PRINCE SLUGOBYL; OR,
THE INVISIBLE KNIGHT
There was once a king who had an only son, called
Prince Slugobyl. Now this young prince loved nothing
better than travelling; so fond of it was he that when he was
twenty years old he gave his father no rest until he allowed
him to go on a long journey, in short, to travel all over the
world. Thus he hoped to see many beautiful and strange
things, to meet with marvellous adventures, to gain happiness,
knowledge, and wisdom, and to return a better man in every
way than when he left. Fearing his youth and want of experience
might lead him astray, his father sent with him a valued
and faithful servant. When all was ready, Slugobyl bade the
king adieu and set off to visit the land of his dreams.
As he was jogging along, allowing his horse to go at its
own pace, he saw a beautiful white swan pursued by an eagle
about to pounce down upon it. Seizing his crossbow, he took
such good aim that the eagle fell dead at his feet. The
rescued swan stopped in its flight, and turning round said to
him, “Valiant Prince Slugobyl, it is not a mere swan who
thanks you for your most timely help, but the daughter of the
Invisible Knight, who, to escape the pursuit of the giant Kostey,
has changed herself into a swan. My father will gladly be of
service to you in return for this kindness to me. When in
need of his help, you only have to say three times, ‘Invisible
Knight, come to me.’”
Having thus spoken the swan flew away. The prince
looked after her for a long time, and then continued his journey.
He travelled on and on and on, over high mountains, through
dark forests, across barren deserts, and so to the middle of a
vast plain where every green thing had been burnt up by the
rays of the sun. Not a single tree, not even a bush or a plant
of any kind was to be seen. No bird was heard to sing, no
insect to hum, no breath of air to stir the stillness of this land
of desolation. Having ridden for some hours, the prince
began to suffer terribly from thirst; so, sending his servant in
one direction, he himself went in another, in search of some
well or spring. They soon found a well full of cool fresh
water, but unluckily without either rope or bucket to
draw it up. After a few moments’ thought the prince said
to his servant, “Take the leathern strap used for tethering
our horses, put it round your body, and I will then let
you down into the well; I cannot endure this thirst any
longer.”
“Your highness,” answered the servant, “I am heavier
than you, and you are not as strong as I, so you will not be
able to pull me out of the water. If you, therefore, will go
down first, I shall be able to pull you up when you have
quenched your thirst.”
The prince took his advice, and fastening an end of the
strap under his arms, was lowered into the well. When he had
enjoyed a deep draught of the clear water and filled a bottle
of the same for his servant, he gave the signal that he wished
to be pulled up. But instead of obeying the servant said,
“Listen, prince; from the day you were born up to the present
moment you have never known anything but luxury, pleasure,
and happiness, while I have suffered poverty and slaved all my
life. Now we will change places, and you shall be my servant.
If you refuse you had better make your peace with God, for I
shall drown you.”
“Stop, faithful servant,” cried the prince, “you will not
be so wicked as to do that. What good will it do you?
You will never be so happy as you have been with me,
and you know what dreadful tortures are in store for
murderers in the other world; their hands are plunged into
boiling pitch, their shoulders bruised with blows from red-hot
iron clubs, and their necks sawn with wooden saws.”
“You may cut and saw me as much as you like in the
other world,” said the servant, “but I shall drown you in this.”
And he began to let the strap slide through his fingers.
“Very well,” said the prince, “I agree to accept your
terms. You shall be the prince and I will be your servant,
I give you my word.”
“I have no faith in words that are carried away by the first
wind that blows. Swear to confirm your promise in writing.”
“I swear.”
The servant then let down paper and pencil, and dictated
the following:
“I hereby declare that I renounce my name and rights
in favour of the bearer of this writing, and that I acknowledge
him to be my prince, and that I am his servant. Written
in the well.
(Signed) Prince Slugobyl.”
The man having taken this document, which he was
quite unable to read, drew out the prince, took off the
clothes in which he was dressed, and made him wear those
he himself had just taken off. Thus disguised they travelled
for a week, and arriving at a large city, went straight to the
king’s palace. There the false prince dismissed his pretended
servant to the stables, and presenting himself before the king,
addressed him thus in a very haughty manner:
“King, I am come to demand the hand of your wise and
beautiful daughter, whose fame has reached my father’s court.
In exchange I offer our alliance, and in case of refusal, war.”
“Prayers and threats are equally out of place,” answered the
king; “nevertheless, prince, as proof of the esteem in which I
hold the king, your father, I grant your request: but only on
one condition, that you deliver us from a large army that now
besets our town. Do this, and my daughter shall be yours.”
“Certainly,” said the impostor, “I can soon get rid of
them, however near they may be. I undertake by to-morrow
morning to have freed the land entirely of them.”
In the evening he went to the stables, and calling his
pretended servant, saluted him respectfully and said, “Listen,
my dear friend, I want you to go immediately outside the
town and destroy the besieging army that surrounds it. But
do it in such a way that every one will believe that I have
done it. In exchange for this favour I promise to return
the writing in which you renounced your title of prince and
engaged to serve me.”
The prince put on his armour, mounted his horse, and
rode outside the city gates. There he stopped and called
three times to the Invisible Knight.
“Behold me, prince, at your service,” said a voice close
to him. “I will do anything you wish, for you saved my
only daughter from the hands of the giant Kostey; I shall
always be grateful.”
Slugobyl showed him the army he had to destroy before
morning, and the Invisible Knight whistled and sang:
“Magu, Horse with Golden Mane,
I want your help yet once again,
Walk not the earth but fly through space
As lightnings flash or thunders race.
Swift as the arrow from the bow,
Come quick, yet so that none can know.”
At that instant a magnificent grey horse appeared out of
a whirlwind of smoke, and from his head there hung a
golden mane. Swift as the wind was he, flames of fire
blazed forth from his nostrils, lightnings flashed from his
eyes, and volumes of smoke came from his ears. The
Invisible Knight leapt upon his back, saying to the prince,
“Take my sword and destroy the left wing of the army,
while I attack the right wing and the centre.”
The two heroes rushed forward and attacked the invaders
with such fury that on all sides men fell like chopped wood
or dried grass. A frightful massacre followed, but it was
in vain that the enemy fled, for the two knights seemed to
be everywhere. Within a short time only the dead and dying
remained on the battle-field, and the two conquerors quietly
returned to the town. On reaching the palace steps, the
Invisible Knight melted into the morning mist, and the
serving-man prince returned to the stables.
That same night it happened that the king’s daughter,
not being able to sleep, had remained on her balcony and
seen and heard all that had taken place. She had overheard
the conversation between the impostor and the real prince,
had seen the latter call to his assistance the Invisible Knight,
and then doff his royal armour in favour of the false prince;
she had seen and understood everything, but she determined
to keep silence for a little longer.
But when on the next day the king, her father, celebrated
the victory of the false prince with great rejoicings, loaded
him with honours and presents, and calling his daughter expressed
a wish that she should marry him—the princess could
be silent no longer. She walked up to the real prince, who
was waiting at table with the other servants, took his arm,
and leading him to the king, said:
“Father, and all good people, this is the man who has
saved our country from the enemy, and whom God has
destined to be my husband. He to whom you pay these
honours is but a vile impostor, who has robbed his master
of name and rights. Last night I witnessed such deeds as
eye has never seen nor ear heard, but which shall be told
afterwards. Bid this traitor show the writing which proves
the truth of what I say.”
When the false prince had delivered up the paper signed
by the serving-man prince, it was found to contain the
following words:
“The bearer of this document, the false and wicked servant
of the serving-man prince, shall receive the punishment
his sin deserves.
(Signed) Prince Slugobyl.”
“What? Is that the real meaning of that writing?”
asked the traitor, who could not read.
“Most assuredly,” was the reply.
Then he threw himself at the king’s feet and begged for
mercy. But he received his punishment, for he was tied to
the tails of four wild horses and torn to pieces.
Prince Slugobyl married the princess. It was a magnificent
wedding. I myself was there, and drank of the mead
and wine; but they only touched my beard, they did not
enter my mouth.
THE SPIRIT OF
THE STEPPES
ToC
THE SPIRIT OF THE STEPPES
In ancient days there lived a king
and queen; the former was old but
the latter young. Although they loved
one another dearly they were very unhappy,
for God had not given them
any children. They fretted and grieved
about this so deeply that the queen
became ill with melancholy. The
doctors advised her to travel. The
king was obliged to remain at home,
so she went without him, accompanied
by twelve maids of honour, all beautiful
and fresh as flowers in May. When
they had travelled for some days, they
reached a vast uninhabited plain which
stretched so far away it seemed to
touch the sky. After driving hither
and thither for some time the driver was
quite bewildered, and stopped before a
large stone column. At its foot stood a warrior on horseback,
clad in steel armour.
“Brave knight, can you direct me to the high-road?”
said the driver; “we are lost, and know not which way
to go.”
“I will show you the way,” said the warrior, “but only on
one condition, that each of you gives me a kiss.”
The queen looked at the warrior in wrath, and ordered
the coachman to drive on. The carriage continued moving
nearly all day, but as if bewitched, for it always returned
to the stone column. This time the queen addressed the
warrior.
“Knight,” said she, “show us the road, and I will reward
you richly.”
“I am the Master Spirit of the Steppes,” answered he.
“I demand payment for showing the way, and my payment
is always in kisses.”
“Very well, my twelve maids of honour shall pay you.”
“Thirteen kisses are due to me; the first must be given
by the lady who addresses me.”
The queen was very angry, and again the attempt was
made to find their way. But the carriage, though during the
whole time it moved in an opposite direction, still returned
to the stone column. It was now dark, and they were obliged
to think of finding shelter for the night, so the queen was
obliged to give the warrior his strange payment. Getting out
of her carriage she walked up to the knight, and looking
modestly down allowed him to kiss her; her twelve maids
of honour who followed did the same. A moment later
stone column and horseman had vanished, and they found
themselves on the high-road, while a perfumed cloud seemed
to float over the steppes. The queen stepped into her carriage
with her ladies, and so the journey was continued.
But from that day the beautiful queen and her maids
became thoughtful and sad; and, losing all pleasure in travel,
went back to the capital. Yet the return home did not make
the queen happy, for always before her eyes she saw the
Horseman of the Steppes. This displeased the king, who
became gloomy and ill-tempered.
One day while the king was on his throne in the council
chamber he suddenly heard the sweetest warblings, like unto
those produced by a bird of paradise; these were answered
by the songs of many nightingales. Wondering, he sent to
find out what it was. The messenger returned saying that
the queen and her twelve maids of honour had each been
presented with a girl baby, and that the sweet warblings were
but the crying of the children. The king was greatly astonished,
and while he was engaged in deep thought about the
matter the palace was suddenly lit up by lights of dazzling
brightness. On inquiring into the cause he learnt that the
little princess had opened her eyes, and that they shone with
matchless brilliancy.
At first the king could not speak, so amazed was he. He
laughed and he cried, he sorrowed and he rejoiced, and in
the midst of it all a deputation of ministers and senators was
announced. When these were shown into his presence they
fell on their knees, and striking the ground with their foreheads,
said, “Sire, save your people and your royal person.
The queen and her twelve maids of honour have been presented
by the Spirit of the Steppes with thirteen girl babies. We
beseech you to have these children killed, or we shall all be
destroyed.”
The king, roused to anger, gave orders that all the babies
should be thrown into the sea. The courtiers were already on
their way to obey this cruel command when the queen entered,
weeping, and pale as death. She threw herself at the king’s
feet and begged him to spare the lives of these helpless and
innocent children, and instead to let them be placed on a
desert island and there left in the hands of God.
The king granted her wish. The baby princess was placed
in a golden cradle, her little companions in copper cradles,
and the thirteen were taken to a desert island and left quite
alone. Every one at court thought that they had perished,
and said one to another, “They will die from cold and hunger;
they will be devoured by wild beasts, or birds of prey; they
are sure to die; perchance they will be buried under dead
leaves or covered with snow.” But happily nothing of the
kind happened, for God takes care of little children.
The small princess grew bigger day by day. Every
morning she was awakened by the rising sun, and bathed by
the dew. Soft breezes refreshed her, and twisted into plaits
her luxuriant hair. The trees sang her to sleep with their
rustling lullabies, the stars watched over her at night. The
swans clothed her in their soft raiment, and the bees fed her
with their honey. The beauty of the little maiden increased
with her growth. Her brow was calm and pure as the moon,
her lips red as a rosebud, and so eloquent that her voice
sounded like a shower of pearls. But wonderful beyond
compare was the expressive beauty of her eyes, for if she
looked at you kindly you seemed to float in a sea of joy, if
angrily it made you numb with fear, and you were instantly
changed into a block of ice. She was waited upon by her
twelve companions, who were almost as charming as their
mistress, to whom they were devotedly attached. Rumours
of the loveliness of Princess Sudolisu spread far and wide.
People came to see her from all parts of the world, so that it
was soon no longer a desert island, but a thickly populated
and magnificent city.
Many a prince came from afar and entered the lists as
suitor for the hand of Sudolisu, but none succeeded in winning
her love. Those who bore with good temper and resignation
the disappointment of being refused returned home safe and
sound, but woe to the unlucky wretch who rebelled against
her will and attempted to use an armed force; his soldiers
perished miserably, while he, frozen to the heart by her angry
glance, was turned into a block of ice.
Now it happened that the famous ogre, Kostey, who
lived underground, was a great admirer of beauty. And he
took it into his head to see what the creatures above ground
were doing. By the help of his telescope he was able to
observe all the kings and queens, princes and princesses,
gentlemen and ladies, living on the earth. As he was looking
his eye fell upon a beautiful island, where, bright as many
stars, stood twelve maidens; while in their midst, upon a couch
of swan’s-down, slept a young princess lovely as the dawn
of day. Sudolisu was dreaming of a young knight who rode
a spirited horse; on his breast was a golden cuirass, and in
his hand an invisible club. And in her dream she admired
this knight, and loved him more than life itself. The wicked
Kostey longed to have her for his own, and determined to
carry her off. He reached the earth by striking it from underground
three times with his forehead. The princess called
her army together, and putting herself at its head, led her
soldiers against him. But he merely breathed upon the
soldiers and they fell down in an overpowering sleep. Then
he stretched out his bony hands to take the princess, but she,
throwing a glance full of anger and disdain at him, changed
him into a block of ice. Then she shut herself up in her
palace. Kostey did not remain frozen long; when the princess
had departed he came to life again, and started off in pursuit
of her. On reaching the town where she dwelt, he put all the
inhabitants into a charmed sleep, and laid the same spell
upon the twelve maids of honour. Fearing the power of her
eyes, he dared not attack Sudolisu herself; so he surrounded
her palace with an iron wall, and left it in charge of a monster
dragon with twelve heads. Then he waited, in hope that the
princess would give in.
Days passed, weeks grew into months, and still Princess
Sudolisu’s kingdom looked like one large bedchamber. The
people snored in the streets, the brave army lying in the fields
slept soundly, hidden in the long grass under the shadow
of nettle, wormwood, and thistle, rust and dust marring the
brightness of their armour. Inside the palace everything was
the same. The twelve maids of honour lay motionless. The
princess alone kept watch, silent amid this reign of sleep. She
walked up and down her narrow prison, sighing and weeping
bitter tears, but no other sound broke the silence; only Kostey,
avoiding her glance, still called through the doors and begged
her to refuse him no longer. Then he promised she should be
Queen of the Nether World, but she answered him not.
Lonely and miserable, she thought of the prince of her
dreams. She saw him in his golden armour, mounted on his
spirited steed, looking at her with eyes full of love. So she
imagined him day and night.
Looking out of window one day, and seeing a cloud floating
on the horizon, she cried:
“Floating Cloudlet soft and white,
Pilgrim of the sky,
I pray you for one moment, light
On me your pitying eye.
Where my love is can you tell?
Thinks he of me ill or well?”
“I know not,” answered the cloud, “ask the wind.”
Then she saw a tiny breeze playing among the field flowers,
and called out:
“Gentle Breezelet, soul of air,
Look not lightly on my pain;
Kindly lift me from despair,
Help me freedom to regain.
Where my love is can you tell?
Thinks he of me ill or well?”
“Ask that little star yonder,” answered the breeze, “she
knows more than I.”
Sudolisu raised her beautiful eyes to the twinkling stars
and said:
“Shining Star, God’s light on high,
Look down and prithee see;
Behold me weep and hear me sigh,
Then help and pity me.
Where my love is canst thou tell?
Thinks he of me ill or well?”
“You will learn more from the moon,” answered the star;
“she lives nearer the earth than I, and sees everything that
goes on there.”
The moon was just rising from her silver bed when
Sudolisu called to her:
“Pearl of the Sky, thou radiant Moon,
Thy watch o’er the stars pray leave,
Throw thy soft glance o’er the earth ere I swoon,
O’ercome by my sorrows I weep and I grieve.
I pine for my friend, oh ease thou my heart,
And say, am I loved? In his thoughts have I part?”
“Princess,” replied the moon, “I know nothing of your
friend. But wait a few hours, the sun will have then risen;
he knows everything, and will surely be able to tell you.”
So the princess kept her eyes fixed upon that part of the
sky where the sun first appears, chasing away the darkness
like a flock of birds. When he came forth in all his glory
she said:
“Soul of the World, thou deep fountain of life,
Eye of all-powerful God,
Visit my prison, dark scene of sad strife,
Raise up my soul from the sod,
With hope that my friend whom I pine for and love
May come to my rescue. Say, where does he rove?”
“Sweet Sudolisu,” answered the sun, “dry the tears that
like pearls roll down your sad and lovely face. Let your
troubled heart be at peace, for your friend the prince is now
on his way to rescue you. He has recovered the magic ring
from the Nether World, and many armies from those countries
have assembled to follow him. He is now moving towards
Kostey’s palace, and intends to punish him. But all this will
be of no avail, and Kostey will gain the victory, if the prince
does not make use of other means which I am now on my
way to provide him with. Farewell; be brave, he whom you
love will come to your aid and save you from Kostey and his
sorceries; happiness is in store for you both.”
The sun then rose upon a distant land where Prince Junak,
mounted on a powerful steed and clad in golden armour,
assembled his forces to fight against the giant Kostey. Thrice
he had dreamt of the beautiful princess shut up in the Sleeping
Palace, for the fame of her loveliness had reached him, and he
loved without having seen.
“Leave your army where it is,” said the sun, “it will not
be of the slightest use in fighting against Kostey, he is proof
against all weapons. The only way to rescue the princess is
to kill him, and there is but one who can tell you how to do
it, and that is the witch, old Yaga. I will show you how to
find the horse that will carry you straight to her. First take
the road to the east, and walk on till you come to a wide
plain: there, right in the middle of the plain, are three
oaks, and in the centre of these, lying close to the ground,
is an iron door with a copper handle. Behind the door is
the horse, also an invisible club; both are necessary for
the work you have to do. You will learn the rest afterwards.
Farewell.”
This advice astonished the prince greatly; he hardly knew
what to do. After deep reflection he crossed himself, took the
magic ring from his finger and cast it into the sea. Instantly
the army vanished like mist before the wind, and when not a
trace of it was left he took the road to the east. After walking
straight on for eight days he reached a large green plain, in the
middle of which grew the three oaks, and in the centre of
these, close to the ground, was the iron door with the copper
handle. Opening the door, he found a winding staircase
which led to a second door bound with iron, and shut by
means of a huge padlock sixty pounds in weight. At this
moment he heard the neighing of a horse, the sound being
followed by the opening of eleven other iron doors. There he
saw the war-horse which centuries ago had been bewitched
by a magician. The prince whistled; the horse immediately
bounded towards him, at the same time breaking the twelve
iron chains that fastened him to the manger. He was a
beautiful creature, strong, light, handsome, full of fire and
grace; his eyes flashed lightnings, from his nostrils came
flames of fire, his mane was like a cloud of gold, he was
certainly a marvel of a horse.
“Prince Junak,” said the steed, “I have waited centuries
for such a knight as you; here I am, ready to carry you and
serve you faithfully. Mount upon my back, and take hold of
the invisible club that hangs at the pommel of the saddle.
You yourself will not need to use it; give it your orders, it will
carry them out and do the fighting itself. Now we will start;
may God look after us! Tell me where you wish to go, and
you shall be there directly.”
The prince quickly told the horse his history, mounted,
seized the club, and set off. The creature capered, galloped,
flew, and swam in the air higher than the highest forests but
lower than the clouds; he crossed mountains, rivers, and precipices;
he barely touched the blades of grass in passing over
them, and went so lightly along the roads that he did not raise
one grain of dust.
Towards sunset Junak found himself close to an immense
forest, in the centre of which stood Yaga’s house. All around
were oaks and pines hundreds of years old, untouched by the
axe of man. These enormous trees, lit up by the rays of the
setting sun, seemed to look with astonishment at their strange
guest. The silence was absolute; not a bird sang in the
branches, not an insect hummed in the air, not a worm
crawled upon the ground. The only sound was that made
by the horse as he broke through the underwood. Then they
came in sight of a small house supported by a cock’s foot,
round which it turned as on a movable pivot. Prince Junak
cried:
“Turn round, little house, turn round,
I want to come inside;
Let thy back to the forest be found,
Thy door to me open wide.”
The little house turned round, and the prince entering saw
old Yaga, who immediately cried out, “What, Prince Junak!
How have you come here, where no one ever enters?”
“You are a silly old witch, to worry me with questions
instead of making me welcome,” said the prince.
At these words old Yaga jumped up and hastened to
attend to his needs. She prepared food and drink, made him
a soft bed where he could sleep comfortably, and then leaving
the house passed the night out of doors. On her return in
the morning the prince related all his adventures and confided
his plans.
“Prince Junak,” said she, “you have undertaken a very
difficult task, but your courage will enable you to accomplish
it successfully. I will tell you how to kill Kostey, for without
that you can do nothing. Now, in the very midst of the ocean
lies the Island of Eternal Life. Upon this island is an oak
tree, and at the foot of it, hidden in the earth, a coffer bound
with iron. A hare is shut up in this coffer, and under her sits
a grey duck whose body contains an egg. Within this egg
is Kostey’s life—if it be broken he dies. Good-bye, Prince
Junak, start without loss of time. Your horse will carry you
to the island.”
Junak mounted his horse, spoke a few words to him, and
the brave creature fled through space with the swiftness of an
arrow. Leaving the forest and its enormous trees behind, they
soon reached the shores of the ocean. Fishermen’s nets lay
on the beach, and in one of them was a large sea fish who,
struggling to free itself, spoke to the prince in a human
voice.
“Prince Junak,” he said sadly, “free me from my prison;
I assure you you will lose nothing by doing me this service.”
Junak did what was required of him, and threw the fish
back into the water. It plunged and disappeared, but he
paid little attention to it, so occupied was he with his own
thoughts. In the far distance could be seen the rocks of the
Island of Eternal Life, but there seemed no way of reaching
it. Leaning on his club he thought and thought, and ever as
he thought he grew sadder and sadder.
“What is the matter, Prince Junak? Has anything vexed
you?” asked his horse.
“How can I help grieving when, while in sight of the
island, I can go no further? How can we cross the sea?”
“Get on my back, prince, I will be your bridge; only
take care to hold on tight.”
The prince held firmly to its mane, and the horse leapt into
the sea. At first they were plunged right beneath the waves,
but rising again to the surface swam easily across. The
sun was about to set when the prince dismounted on the
Island of Eternal Life. He first took off his horse’s harness,
and leaving him to browse on the green grass, hurried to the
top of a distant hill, whence he could see a large oak.
Without losing a moment he hastened towards it, seized
the tree with both hands, pulled at it with all his might,
and after the most violent efforts tore it up by the roots
from the place it had filled for centuries. The tree groaned
and fell, and the hole in which it had been planted appeared
like an immense case. Right at the bottom of this case
was a coffer bound with iron. The prince took it up, broke
the lock by striking it with a stone, opened it and seized
the hare that was trying to make its escape. The grey duck
that had lain underneath flew off towards the sea: the prince
fired, struck the bird, the latter dropped its egg into the
sea, and both were swallowed by the waves. Junak gave
a cry of despair and rushed to the beach. At first he
could see nothing. After a few minutes there was a slight
movement of the waves, while upon the surface swam the
fish whose life he had saved. It came towards him, right
on to the sand, and dropping the lost egg at his feet, said:
“You see, prince, I have not forgotten your kindness, and
now I have found it in my power to be of service to you.”
Having thus spoken it disappeared in the water. The
prince took the egg, mounted his horse, and crossing the
sea with his heart full of hope, journeyed towards the island
where Princess Sudolisu kept watch over her sleeping subjects
in the Enchanted Palace. The latter was surrounded by a
wall, and guarded by the Dragon with Twelve Heads. Now
these heads went to sleep in turn, six at a time, so it was
impossible to take him unawares or to kill him, for that could
be done only by his own blows.
On reaching the palace gates Junak sent his invisible
club forward to clear the way, whereupon it threw itself upon
the dragon, and began to beat all the heads unmercifully.
The blows came so thick and fast that the body was soon
crushed to pieces. Still the dragon lived and beat the air
with its claws. Then it opened its twelve jaws from which
darted pointed tongues, but it could not lay hold of the
invisible club. At last, tormented on all sides and filled
with rage, it buried its sharp claws in its own body and died.
The prince then entered the palace gates, and having put
his faithful horse in the stables and armed himself with his
invisible club, made his way for the tower in which the
princess was shut up. On seeing him she cried out, “Prince,
I rejoiced to see your victory over the dragon. There is
yet a more terrible foe to conquer, and he is my jailor,
the cruel Kostey. Beware of him, for if he should kill
you, I shall throw myself out of window into the precipice
beneath.”
“Be comforted, my princess: for in this egg I hold the
life or death of Kostey.”
Then turning to the invisible club, he said, “Press forward,
my invisible club; strike your best, and rid the earth
of this wicked giant.”
The club began by breaking down the iron doors, and
thus reached Kostey. The giant was soon so crippled with
blows that his teeth were smashed, lightnings flashed from his
eyes, and he rolled round and round like a pin-cushion.
Had he been a man he must have died under such treatment.
But he was no man, this master of sorcery. So he
managed to get on his feet and look for his tormentor.
The blows from the club rained hard upon him all the
time, and with such effect that his groans could be heard
all over the island. On approaching the window he saw
Prince Junak.
“Ah, wretch!” cried the ogre, “it is you, is it, who
torments me in this way!” and he prepared to blow upon
him with his poisonous breath. But the prince instantly
crushed the egg between his hands, the shell broke, the
white and yellow mingled and flowed to the ground, and
Kostey died.
As the sorcerer breathed his last, the enchantments
vanished and the sleeping islanders awoke. The army, once
more afoot, advanced with beating drums to the palace, and
everything fell into its accustomed place. As soon as Princess
Sudolisu was freed from her prison she held out her white
hand to her deliverer, and thanking him in the most touching
words, led him to the throne and placed him at her side.
The twelve maids of honour having chosen young and brave
warriors, ranged themselves with their lovers round the
queen. Then the doors were thrown open, and the priests in
their robes entered, bearing a golden tray of wedding rings.
Thereupon the marriage ceremony was gone through, and the
lovers united in God’s name.
After the wedding there were feasting and music and
dancing, as is usual on such occasions, and they all enjoyed
themselves. It makes one glad to think how happy they
were, and what a glorious time they had after their misfortunes.