登陆注册
5158000000039

第39章 The Strong Prince(2)

Unfortunately, the queen, like all women, could not bear to think that there was anything which she did not know.So the moment that her son had turned his back, she opened the doors of all the rooms, and peeped in, till she came to the one where the robbers lay.But if the sight of the blood on the ground turned her faint, the sight of the robber captain walking up and down was a greater shock still.She quickly turned the key in the lock, and ran back to the chamber she had slept in.

Soon after her son came in, bringing with him a large bear, which he had killed for supper.As there was enough food to last them for many days, the prince did not hunt the next morning, but, instead, began to explore the castle.He found that a secret way led from it into the forest; and following the path, he reached another castle larger and more splendid than the one belonging to the robbers.He knocked at the door with his fist, and said that he wanted to enter;but the giant, to whom the castle belonged, only answered: 'I know who you are.I have nothing to do with robbers.'

'I am no robber,' answered the prince.'I am the son of a king, and Ihave killed all the band.If you do not open to me at once I will break in the door, and your head shall go to join the others.'

He waited a little, but the door remained shut as tightly as before.

Then he just put his shoulder to it, and immediately the wood began to crack.When the giant found that it was no use keeping it shut, he opened it, saying: 'I see you are a brave youth.Let there be peace between us.'

And the prince was glad to make peace, for he had caught a glimpse of the giant's beautiful daughter, and from that day he often sought the giant's house.

Now the queen led a dull life all alone in the castle, and to amuse herself she paid visits to the robber captain, who flattered her till at last she agreed to marry him.But as she was much afraid of her son, she told the robber that the next time the prince went to bathe in the river, he was to steal the sword from its place above the bed, for without it the young man would have no power to punish him for his boldness.

The robber captain thought this good counsel, and the next morning, when the young man went to bathe, he unhooked the sword from its nail and buckled it round his waist.On his return to the castle, the prince found the robber waiting for him on the steps, waving the sword above his head, and knowing that some horrible fate was in store, fell on his knees and begged for mercy.But he might as well have tried to squeeze blood out of a stone.The robber, indeed, granted him his life, but took out both his eyes, which he thrust into the prince's hand, saying brutally:

'Here, you had better keep them! You may find them useful!'

Weeping, the blind youth felt his way to the giant's house, and told him all the story.

The giant was full of pity for the poor young man, but inquired anxiously what he had done with the eyes.The prince drew them out of his pocket, and silently handed them to the giant, who washed them well, and then put them back in the prince's head.For three days he lay in utter darkness; then the light began to come back, till soon he saw as well as ever.

But though he could not rejoice enough over the recovery of his eyes, he bewailed bitterly the loss of his sword, and that it should have fallen to the lot of his bitter enemy.

'Never mind, my friend,' said the giant, 'I will get it back for you.'

And he sent for the monkey who was his head servant.

'Tell the fox and the squirrel that they are to go with you, and fetch me back the prince's sword,' ordered he.

The three servants set out at once, one seated on the back of the others, the ape, who disliked walking, being generally on top.

Directly they came to the window of the robber captain's room, the monkey sprang from the backs of the fox and the squirrel, and climbed in.The room was empty, and the sword hanging from a nail.He took it down, and buckling it round his waist, as he had seen the prince do, swung himself down again, and mounting on the backs of his two companions, hastened to his master.The giant bade him give the sword to the prince, who girded himself with it, and returned with all speed to the castle.

'Come out, you rascal! come out, you villain!' cried he, 'and answer to me for the wrong you have done.I will show you who is the master in this house!'

The noise he made brought the robber into the room.He glanced up to where the sword usually hung, but it was gone; and instinctively he looked at the prince's hand, where he saw it gleaming brightly.In his turn he fell on his knees to beg for mercy, but it was too late.As he had done to the prince, so the prince did to him, and, blinded, he was thrust forth, and fell down a deep hole, where he is to this day.His mother the prince sent back to her father, and never would see her again.After this he returned to the giant, and said to him:

'My friend, add one more kindness to those you have already heaped on me.Give me your daughter as my wife.'

So they were married, and the wedding feast was so splendid that there was not a kingdom in the world that did not hear of it.And the prince never went back to his father's throne, but lived peacefully with his wife in the forest, where, if they are not dead, they are living still.

[From Ungarische Volksmarchen.]

同类推荐
  • 精忠旗

    精忠旗

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 妙臂菩萨所问经

    妙臂菩萨所问经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 茅亭客话

    茅亭客话

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 律宗会元

    律宗会元

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Lavender and Old Lace

    Lavender and Old Lace

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 哈佛口才课

    哈佛口才课

    哈佛大学有着全世界最为出色的沟通学大师霍莉·威克斯、谈判专家巴泽曼;哈佛学生的人际关系心理测评、话语艺术测评的分值都远远高出美国其他同类学府的学生。
  • 女人不衰老的活法(升级版)

    女人不衰老的活法(升级版)

    这是一个谈“衰”色变的时代,这是一个保健盛行的时代。永远年轻是每个人的终极梦想,长命百岁是每个人的现实目标。抗击衰老也就成为每个人的日常工作。如何将这份“工作”做得漂亮、从容、有成果,也是大家最想知道的。本书从日常生活出发,从点点滴滴入手,告诉你最有效的抗衰秘籍,送给你最有利的抗衰武器,教你击退衰老的种种劲敌,帮你构建抗击衰老的坚固防线。你的年龄不可能变小,但你却可以变得更健康、更青春、更有活力。抗衰老其实并不难,从现在就开始行动吧这是一个谈“衰”色变的时代,这是一个保健盛行的时代。永远年轻是每个人的终极梦想,长命百岁是每个人的现实目标。抗衰老也就成为每个人的日常工作。如何将这份“工作”做得漂亮、从容、有成果,也是大家*想知道的。本书从日常生活出发,从滴滴手,告诉你有效的抗衰秘籍,送给你有利的抗衰武器,教你退衰老的种种劲敌,帮你构建抗衰老的坚固防线。
  • 万王归一

    万王归一

    仙珠下凡,先天神力,后天努力,为情为义,争天斗地,所向披靡。
  • 逐日之界

    逐日之界

    在这个陌生世界,光明早已暗淡,阴影丛生,万物陷于囫囵!异能横生的怖畏、人性贪婪面的主宰,是愿意与黑暗为伍?或是奋起反抗,以逐日之名,向着那未知的黑暗泥潭发起冲击?我选择后者,向着光明之途勇往而前....
  • 那个不为人知的故事

    那个不为人知的故事

    如果那个夜晚,杨昭没有接到那个电话,大概她这辈子都遇不到陈铭生。如果没有陈铭生,她或许就这样平淡地过一生,只是,她遇到了陈铭生,那“或许”也就不会出现了。她与他都庆幸,那个夜晚的相遇,让他们成了彼此最无法割舍的安息之地。只是这样的时光太短暂,就像是一个故事刚有了开篇就戛然而止。她开始尝试开启新的故事。
  • 偏就不说爱

    偏就不说爱

    嫁给周立城时,我以为自己嫁给了爱情。现实却狠狠给了我一个耳光。曾经口口声声说爱我的丈夫,当着我的面跟小三上演真人秀。后来,我遇到陆远舟。他什么都给我,唯独没有爱。我原本以为这一生也就这样了,他却跟我说:“林菀,嫁给我。”--情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • 道德经顺朱

    道德经顺朱

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 诱你入局:左少情非得已

    诱你入局:左少情非得已

    左林肖宠我惯我容忍我,以保卫者的姿态强势闯入我的生活。我以为我们之间存在爱情,直到发现,他接近我竟是源于一场交易。剥开真相的外衣,方知所谓的甜蜜是穿肠毒药。这场猎心游戏,我,不玩了!
  • 云雾月明

    云雾月明

    云里雾里,真真假假,假假真真。他,当朝皇帝第四个皇子,七岁那年,皇帝把他送往梁国当质子。现实告诉他,不能信任何人,也不能爱上任何一个人,可偏偏他遇上了她,让他着迷。而她,将军府六小姐,十五岁那年,她入宫,她遇见了他,被他萧声吸引,他吹萧,她抚琴。一曲完毕,她上前,看到他的侧脸,他的背影,他的笑容,无不在透露他的凄凉,心酸。不知为何她为他心疼。为他,从一个娇滴滴,大门不出二门不迈的小姐成为一个女诸葛,为他出谋划策,辅佐他成为一代明君。他以他的命护她,不惜把他一切赌在她身上,只因为他爱她,她信他。即使负了天下也不负她,爱江山更爱美人。一生所爱
  • 时光的流逝和轮回中会发生什么

    时光的流逝和轮回中会发生什么

    他因为游戏世界崩溃而导致灵魂穿越,来到了一个以高武世界,在这里就将展开魔幻与玄幻的对决,前世今生的秘密……算了,简介真的难写,这个小说是写着玩,练笔的,至于类型的话,类似于玄幻吧,不过不懂一点宅文化有点阅读起来可能会有点难受