The Violet Fairy Book

nd of each other and had nothing to worry them, but at last the king grew restless. He longed to go out i

who ill-treated or tormented everyone he could lay his hands on. The king then gave his parting orders an

marched on, defeating all who came in his way. But this did not last long, for in time he came to a mountain p

r friend had a very bad time indeed. All night long the prisoners were chained up, and in

imself to his dear queen, but at last he contrived to send this letter: ‘Sell all our castles and

er my dearest husband? If I go myself and the heathen king sees me he will just take me to be one

ght, and at last an i

rself in boy’s clothes. Then she took her lute and, without

lived. When she got there she walked all round the palace and at the back she saw the prison. Then she went into the great court in fr

me she began to sing, and her vo

om my own

is fore

own I t

lute in

ll thank me

my simp

sighs it st

thee da

f bloomin

t by sun

liss of love

ing’s cr

ad captiv

his pri

at sigh when

r to the

begs for

from out y

play my g

near yo

ou hear m

our pala

pray, this

heart’s

touching song sung by such a lovely voice,

yer,’ said he. ‘Wher

eas. For years I have been wandering about t

wish to leave I will give you what you as

d almost all day long to the king, who could never tire of li

ared, ‘That’s something like playing and singing. It makes me feel

lute player came to t

ng, ‘what do you de

n, and I should be glad of a companion on my journeys. When I hear h

oose whom you will.’ And he took the

sband and took him with her on her journey. They were long on their way, but he n

d the frontier t

soner, but the king of this country. Let me

d,’ answered the lute

me, dear boy,

shall be at your palace,’ was

home, got there before the

re running to and fro and crying out: ‘Our ki

ery kindly, but he would not

council and ministers t

ing on my neck, but when I was pining in prison a

news was brought from you the queen disappeared and n

y angry and cried, ‘J

ng lute player had not delivered him. I shall remem

time to disguise herself. She took her lute, and slipping in

he captiv

his pri

at sigh when

r to the

begs for

from out y

play my g

near yo

ou hear m

our pala

pray, this

heart’s

an out to meet the lute player, took him

me from my prison. And now, my true friend,

s, sire. I ask of you what I asked and obtained from him. But thi

off her long cloak and ev

heart he gave a great feast to the whole world, and the

k many good things. I sha’n’t for

ussian.]