The Blue Fairy Book

hoes and stockings, and wading two or three hundred yards, I plainly saw it to be a real boat, which I supposed might by some tempest have been driven from a ship. I returned immediately to the

place whence I might return to my native country, and begged his orders for materials to

my eyes, and who expected that his brother of Blefuscu would have me sent back to Lilliput, bound hand and foot, to be punished as a traitor. The Emperor of Blefuscu answered with many civil excuses. He said that as for sending me bound, his brother knew it was impossible. Moreover, though I had taken away his fle

Blefuscu secretly offered me his gracious protection if I would continue in his

n my face to kiss their hands, which they graciously gave me. His Majesty presented me with fifty purses of sprugs (their greatest gold coin) and hi

them on board, I had a good bundle of hay and a bag of corn. I would gladly have taken a dozen of the natives; but this was a thing the Emperor would by no means p

ind slackened; and in half an hour she spied me, and discharged a gun. I came up with her between five and six in the evening, Sept. 26, 1701; but my heart leaped within me to see her English colors. I put my cows and sheep into my coat pockets, and got on board with a

longer. However, while in England I made great profit by showing my cattle to persons of quality and others; and before I began my second voyage I sold them for 600l.

Sw

SS ON THE

ht of its vigor, it was all eaten clean up, just as if a whole flock of sheep had gnawed it down to the ground during the night. This happened once, and it happened twice, but then the man got tired of losing his crop, and said to his sons-he had three of them, and the

any of it. So when evening came he went to the barn, and lay down to sleep, but when night was drawing near there was such a rumbling and such an earthquake that the walls and roof

, and watch well too. So the next oldest son was willing to show what he could do. He went to the barn and lay down to sleep, as his brother had done; but when night was drawing near there was

at all the hay flew about the boy. "Oh! if it gets no worse than that I can manage to stand it," thought Cinderlad. But then came a third rumbling, and a third earthquake, so violent that the boy thought the walls and roof had fallen down, but when that was over everything suddenly grew as still as death around him. "I am pretty sure that it will come again," thought Cinderlad; but no, it did not. Everything was quiet, and everything stayed quiet, and when he had lain still a short time he heard something that sounded as if a horse were standing chewing just outside the barn door. He stole away to the door, which was ajar, to see what was there, and a horse was standing eating. It was

arn, if even you have been so

hing and heard nothing, not I," said the boy. "God

," answered the brothers, but when they got there the grass was all

before. Then everything became still as death again, and the boy heard something chewing outside the barn door, so he stole as softly as he could to the door, which was slightly ajar, and again there was a horse standing close by the wall of the house, eating and chewing, and it was far larger and fatter than the first horse, and it had a saddle on its back, and a bridle was on it too, and a full suit of armor fo

at you have watched well again

d there the grass was, standing as high and as thick as it had

tly a short time, he heard something chewing outside the barn door; then he once more stole to the door, which was slightly ajar, and behold, a horse was standing just outside it, which was much larger and fatter than the two others he had caught. "Ho, ho! it is thou, then, who art eating up our hay this time," thought the boy; "but I will put a stop to that." So he pulled out his steel for striking fire, and threw it over the horse, and it stood as still as if it had been nailed to the field, and the boy could do just w

o could ride up and take the three golden apples should marry her, and have half the kingdom. The King had this proclaimed in every church in the whole kingdom, and in many other kingdoms too. The Princess was very beautiful, and all who saw her fell violently in love with her, even in spite of themselves. So it is needless to say that all the princes and

lk or even creep was there too, to see who won the King's daughter. Cinderlad's two brothers were there too, but they would not hear of letting him go with them, f

go all alone by myse

rom them and the riders were forced to give up the attempt. The King was just thinking that he would cause it to be proclaimed that the riding should begin afresh on the following day, when perhaps it might go better, when suddenly a knight came riding up on so fine a horse that no one had ever seen the like of it before, and the knight had armor of copper, and his bridle was of copper too, and all his accoutrements were so bright that they shone again. The other knights all called out to him that he might just as well spare himself the trouble of trying to ride up the glass hill, for it was of no use to try; but he did not heed them, an

had ridden so far up the glass hill might show the golden apple which the King's daughter had thrown down. B

nd trappings were so bright that they shone to a great distance, and it was something like a sight to see him riding. He rode one-third of the way up the glass hill, and he could easily have ridden the whole of it if he had liked; but he had turned back, for he had made up his mind that

er. But just as the King was thinking that it would be well to proclaim that the riding should take place next day for the last time, so that they might have one more chance, he suddenly bethought himself that it would be well to wait a little longer to see if the knight in copper armor would come on this day too. But nothing was to be seen of him. Just as they were still looking for him, however, came a knight riding on a steed that was much, much finer than that which the knight in copper armor had ridden, and this knight had silver armor and a silver saddle and bridle, and all were so bright that they shone and glistened when he was a long way off. Again the other knights called to him

ss, in order that he who had the golden apple might show it, one knigh

the hill. "But last of all," they said, "came one in silver armor, and he had a silver bridle on his horse, and a silver saddle, and oh, but he could ride! He took h

ve liked to see him

the ashes that you sit grubbing among, yo

ng upon a horse that was such a fine one, its equal had never yet been seen. The knight had golden armor, and the horse a golden saddle and bridle, and these were all so bright that they shone and dazzled everyone, even while the knight was still at a great distance. The other princes and knights were not able even to call to tell him how useless it was to try to ascend the hill, so amazed were they at sight of

e off that day, and at last they told about the knight in the golden armor too. "He was a fine

ve liked to see him

aps that thou art always lying raking among, dirt

late for them to do it the night before-in order that he who had the golden apple might produce

uld come to the palace, and see if he could show the apple. And one after the other they all came, but no one had the golden apple, and after a long, long

but he never got the golden apple! He never l

g; "as everyone else has come t

forced to go to t

golden apple?"

rlad, and he took all three apples out of his pocket, and with that drew off his sooty r

edding, and Cinderlad got the King's daughter, and everyone made merry at the wedding, for all of them could make merry, t

jornsen

NCE AHMED AND TH

dest of the Princes was called Houssain, the second Ali, t

ved her passionately, he thought more seriously on that affair. He was very much concerned; the difficulty he foresaw was to make them agree, and that the two youngest should consent to yield her up to their elder brother. As he found them positively obstinate, he sent for them all together, and said to them: "Children, since for your good and quiet I have not been able to persuade you no longer to aspire to the Princess, your cous

the next morning. Accordingly they all set out at the same gate of the city, each dressed like a merchant, attended by an officer of confidence dressed like a slave, and all well mounted and equipped. They went the first day's journey together, and lay all at an inn, where the road was divided into three different tracts. At night, when they were at supper together, t

d at a khan appointed for foreign merchants; and, having learned that there were four principal divisions where merchants of all sorts sold their c

ll vaulted and shaded from the sun, and yet very light too. The shops were all of a size, and all that dealt in th

brocades from Persia, China, and other places, porcelain both from Japan and China, and tapestries, surprised him so much that he knew not how to believe his own eyes; but when he came to the goldsmiths and

ts; for the Indians are so great lovers of that flower that no one will stir without a nosegay in his hand or

not been sat down long before he saw a crier pass by with a piece of tapestry on his arm, about six feet square, and cried at thirty purses. The Prince called to the crier, and asked to see the tapestry, which seemed to him to be valued at an exorbi

not to part with it under." "Certainly," answered Prince Houssain, "it must have something very extraordinary in it, which I know nothing of." "You have guessed it, sir," replied the cr

nt besides." "Sir," replied the crier, "I have told you the truth; and it is an easy matter to convince you of it, as soon as you have made the bargain for forty purses, on condition I show you the experiment. But, as I suppose you have not so much about you, and to receive them I must go with you to your khan, where you lodge, with the leave of the master of the shop, we will go into the

both sat down on it, and as soon as the Prince formed his wish to be transported into his apartment at the khan he presently found himself and the crier there;

sible thing for the Princes his younger brothers to meet with anything to be compared with it. It was in his power, by sitting on his tapestry, to be at the place of meeting that very day; but, as he was obliged to stay there for his brothers, as they

incess that, spreading the tapestry, he and the officer he had brought with him sat down, and as soon as he had formed his w

having three days after he parted with his brothers joined a caravan, and after four days' travel

t nothing but just necessaries along with him, after he had dressed himself, to

d of about a foot in length and the thickness of a man's thumb, and cried it at thirty purses. At first he thought the crier mad, and to inform himself went to a shop, and said to the

oyed of any when anything valuable is to be sold. And if he cries the ivory perspective glass at thirty purses it must be worth as much or more, on som

ean by crying that ivory perspective glass, which seems not to be worth much, at thirty purses. I should be very much amazed myself if I did not know you." The crier, addressing himself to Prince Ali, said: "Sir, you are not the only person that takes me

thrown on you if you will make the truth of what you advance appear," and as he had the ivory pipe in his hand, after he had looked at the two glasses he said: "Show me at which of these ends I must look that I may be satisfied." The crier presently showed him, and he looked through, wishing at the same time to see the Sult

and believed that if he should neglect to purchase it he should never meet again with such another rarity. He therefore

hought of nothing but visiting the Court of Persia incognito, and seeing whatever was curious in Schiraz and thereabouts, till the caravan with which he came returned back to the Indies. As soon as the caravan was ready to set out, th

, and tell me what virtue and extraordinary properties it has, to be valued at so high a rate." "Sir," said the crier, giving it into his hand, "if you look at the outside of this apple, it is very worthless, but if you consider its properties, virtues, and the great use and benefit it is to mankind, you will say it is no price

say. You will find several of them will tell you they had not been alive this day if they had not made use of this excellent remedy. And, that you may better comprehend what it is, I must tell you it is the fruit of the study and experiments of a celebrated philosopher of this city, who applied himself all his lifetime to the study and knowledge of the virtues of plants and min

e said; and one among the rest said he had a friend dangerously ill, whose life was despaired of; and that was a favorable opportunity

t it will always have the desired effect." In short, the experiment succeeded, and the Prince, after he had counted out to the crier forty purses, and he had delivered the app

tely saw through the glass that the Princess was dying. They then sat do

ned her head from one side to another, looking at the persons who stood about her; and then rose up in the bed, and asked to be dressed, just as if she had waked out of a sound sleep. Her women having presently informed her, in a manner that showe

with the greatest joy, both for their return and the recovery of the Princess his niece, whom he loved as well as if she had been his own daughter, and who had been given over by the physicians. After the usual ceremonies and compliments the Princes presented each his rarity: Prince Houssain his tapestry, which he had taken care not to leave beh

the silence, and said to them: "I would declare for one of you children with a great deal of pleasure if I could do it with justice; but consider whether I can do it or no. 'Tis true, Prince Ahmed, the Princess my niece is obliged to your artificial apple for her cure; but I must ask you whether or no you could have been

ssary a means toward her cure. But consider, it would have been of little use if you had not been acquainted with the Princess's illness by Prince Ali's glass, and Prince Ahmed had not applied his artificial apple. Therefore, as neither tapestry, ivory perspective glass, nor a

mong you; and that, as there is time enough between this and night, I'll do it to-day. Go and get each of you a bow and arrow, and repair to the

f his presence they each provided themselves with a bow and arrow, which they delivered to on

w fell; and, notwithstanding all the diligence that was used by himself and everybody else, it was not to be found far or near. And though it was believed that he shot the farthest, and that he therefore deserved the Princess Nouronnihar, it was, however, necessary that hi

t, his grief was so violent and insupportable that he left the Court

esolved to search after it, that he might not have anything to reproach himself with. With this intent he went to the place where the Princes Houssain's and Ali's were gathered up, and, going straight forward from there, looking carefully on both sides of him, he went

he to himself, "neither I nor any man living could shoot an arrow so far," and, finding it laid flat, not sticking into the ground, he judged that it rebounded against the rock. "There must be some mystery in thi

ut no steps, which he walked down with his arrow in his hand. At first he thought he was going into a dark, obscure place, but presently a quite different light succeeded that which he came out of, and, entering into a large, spacious place, at about fifty or sixty paces distant, he p

s respects; and the lady, on her part, seeing him coming, prevented him from addressing h

to his father's capital, and he could not comprehend how he should be known to a lady who was a stranger to hi

nt curiosity had made me penetrate too far. But, madam, may I, without being guilty of ill manners, dare to ask you by w

s go into the hall, there I wil

on teaches you to believe that the world is inhabited by genies as well as men. I am the daughter of one of the most powerful and distinguished genies, and my name is Paribanou. The only thing that I have to add is, that you seemed to me worthy of a more happy fate than that of possessing the Princess Nouronnihar; and, that you might at

e his and that the Fairy Paribanou excelled her infinitely in beauty, agreeableness, wit, and, as much as he could conjecture by the magnificence of the palace, in immense riches. He blessed the moment that he thought of seeking after his arrow a second time, and, yielding to his love, "Madam," replied he, "sh

ultaness, my queen, I'll give you my heart without the least reserve." "Then," answered the Fairy, "you are my husband, and I am your wife. But, as I suppose," pursued she, "that you have eaten nothing to-day, a slig

hem, and guessed her intentions, went immediately out, a

he richness of the furniture, which was inestimable, there was such a profuseness throughout that the Prince, instead of ever having seen anything like it, owned that he could not have imagined that there was anything in the world that could come up to it. "Prince," said the Fairy, "if you admire my pala

t sight. A large side table was set out with all sorts of gold plate, so finely wrought that the workmanship was much more valuable than the weight of the gold. Several choruses of beautiful women richly dressed, and whose voices were ravishing, began a concert, accompanied with all sorts of the most harmonious instruments; and when they were set down at table the Fairy Paribanou took care to help Prince Ahm

xt day, or, rather, the days following

er, conceived a great desire to know how he was, and that desire could not be satisfied

st, I don't think it proper for you to tell the Sultan your father of our marriage, nor of my quality, nor the place where you have been. Beg of him to be

and renewed his promise to return soon. Then his horse, which was most finely caparisoned, and was as beautiful a creature as any in the Sultan of

crowds to the Sultan's apartment. The Sultan received and embraced him with great joy, complaining at the same time, with a fatherly tenderness, of the affliction his long absenc

said that he must not mention, and ended: "The only favor I ask of your Majesty i

you should fail to come, or when I may think your presence necessary." "Sir," replied Prince Ahmed, "what your Majesty asks of me is part of the mystery I spoke to your Majesty of. I beg

at your liberty; but can tell you that you could not do me a greater pleasure than to come, and by your presence restore to me the j

his father's Court, and the fourth returned to th

ten, had never talked of the Sultan, as if there had been no such person in the world, whereas before he was always speaking of him, she thought he forebore on her account; therefore she took an opportunity to say to him one day: "Prince, tell me, have you

more magnificently mounted, equipped, and dressed, and was received by the Sultan with the same joy an

r and power by the figure he cut, made the Sultan jealous of his son, saying it wa

a design as his favorites would make him believe that he said to them: "You are mistaken; my son lov

't believe my son Ahmed is so wicked as you would persuade me he is; how ever, I am obliged t

him that he resolved to have Prince Ahmed watched unknown to his grand vizier. So he sent for a female magician, who was introduced by a back do

Prince Ahmed found his arrow, went immediately thither, a

e Sultan or any of his Court, according to custom. The magician, seeing him coming,

r fairies. Thereupon she came out of the place where she was hid and went directly to the hollow way, which she traced till she came to the farther end, looking carefully about on all sides; but, notwithstanding all h

y farther, was obliged to be satisfied with the discovery

her: "Do you as you think fit; I'll wait patiently the event of your promi

rt once a month, he never failed, and the magician, knowing the time, went a day or two before

n, whom he knew not to be such, and, seeing her lie with her head against the rock, and complaining as if she were in great pain,

if she could hardly fetch her breath, that she was going to the capital city, but on the way thither she was taken with so violent a fever

magine. I am ready to assist you, and convey you where you will meet with

pretended vain endeavors to get up. At the same time two of the Prince's attendants, alighting off their horses, helped her up, and set her behind another, and mounted their horses again, and followed the Prince, who

ss, I desire you would have compassion on this good woman," pointing to the magician, who was held up by two of his retinue. "I found her in the condition you see h

was talking to her, ordered two of her women who followed her to take her from the two men that held

she pretends to be; and I am very much mistaken if she is not an impostor, who will be the cause of a great trouble to you. But don't be concerned, le

I ever did or designed anybody an injury, I cannot believe anybody can have a thought of doing me one, but if they have

silk, the sheets of the finest linen, and the coverlet cloth-of-gold. When they had put her into bed (for the old sorceress pretended that her fever was so violent she could not help herself in the least) one of the women went out, and returned soon again with a china dish in her hand, f

er head, swallowed down the liquor. When she was laid down again the two women covered her up. "Lie quiet," said she who brought her th

dressed, and sitting upon the sofa. "Oh, admirable potion!" she said: "it has wrought it

e that she was cured so soon, walked before her, and conducted her through several apartments, all more noble

uch majesty, the magician was not only dazzled, but was so amazed that, after she had prostrated herself before the throne, she could not open her lips to thank the Fairy as she proposed. However, Paribanou saved her the trouble, and sai

how very rich Prince Ahmed was since his marriage with the Fairy, richer than all the kings i

concerned at the discourse of the old sorceress, to whom, when she was taking her leave, he said: "I thank thee for the pains thou h

y. As, for example, every time your Majesty goes into the field, you are obliged to be at a great expense, not only in pavilions and tents for your army, but likewise in mules and camels to carry their baggag

d anything better to propose; and, finding them all silent, determined to follow the

he magician had advised him,

r it extended so far as to compass such a tent as his father desired. At last he replied: "Though it is with the greatest reluctance imaginable, I will not fail to ask the favor of my wife your Majesty desires, but will not promise you to ob

o trifling a request as this I desire you to ask of her for my sake." The Prince went back, and was very sad for fear of offending the Fairy. She kept pressing him to tell her what was the matter, and at last he said: "Madam, you may have observed that hitherto I have been content with your love, and have never asked you any o

rry that so small a matter should disturb you,

st pavilion in my treasury." Nourgiham returned presently with the pavilion, which she could not only hold in her hand, but

resently in his countenance; which Paribanou perceiving burst out laughing. "What! Prince," cried she, "do you think I jest with you? You'll see presently that I am in earnest. Nour

h to shelter two greater armies than that of the Sultan his father's, and then said to Paribanou: "I ask my Princess a thousand pardons for my incredulity; after what I have seen I believe there is nothing impossible t

o took it, and, without staying any longer than till the next day, mount

ence. He took the tent and after he had admired its smallness his amazement was so great that he could not recover himself. When the tent was set

ch will be every whit as agreeable to me. I am informed that the Fairy, your spouse, makes use of a certain water, called the Water of the Fountain of Lions, which cures all sorts of fevers, even the most dangerous, and, as I am perfectly well persuaded my health is dear to

what I am going to tell you. The Fountain of Lions is situated in the middle of a court of a great castle, the entrance into which is guarded by four fierce

cut into four quarters, that must be killed to-day. In the third place, you must be provided with a bottle, which I will give you, to bring the water in. Set out early to-morrow morning, and when you have passed the iron gate throw the clew of thread before you, which will roll till it comes to the gates of the castle. Follow it, and when it stops, as the gates will be o

distance from the castle gates he turned him about, and, perceiving two of the lions coming after him, he drew his sabre and prepared himself for defense. But as he went forward he saw one of them turned out of the road at some distance, and showed by his head and tail that he did not come to do him any harm, but only to go before him, and that the other stayed behind to

o the Sultan's apartment, who was at that time surrounded with his favorites. He approached toward the throne,

ch to keep among your other rarities in your treasury, but at the same time wi

this valuable present, as also for the great danger you have exposed yourself to upon my account (which I have been informed of by a magician who knows

owed." Then he informed the Sultan what those directions were, and by the relation of this his expedition let him know how well he had behaved himself. When he had done

communicated to the Sultan who declared it the next day to the Prince, in the midst of all his courtiers, in these words: "Son," said he, "I have one thing more to ask of you, after which I shall expect nothing more from your obedience,

his father described, would gladly have excused himself; but the Sultan pers

imagine there can be such a man in the world; without doubt, he has a mind to try whether or no I am so silly as to go about it, or he has a design on my ruin. In short, how can he suppose that I should

s of his resentment for a slight offense; yet, on the other hand, is so good as to oblige anyone in whatever they desire. He is made exactly as the Sultan your father has described him, and has no other arms than a bar of iron of five hundred pounds weight, without which he never stirs, and which makes him respected. I'll send for him, and you shall judge o

her palace, with a box of the same metal, which was a present to her, out of which

oulder, his long beard, which he held up before him, and a pair of thick mustachios, which he tucked behind his ears and almost covered his face; his eyes were very sm

e would not have been able to have looked at him without fear, but, kn

as. To which she replied: "He is my husband, brother. His name is Ahmed; he is son to the Sultan of the Indies. The reason why I did not invite you to my wedding was I was

desires." "The Sultan, his father," replied Paribanou, "has a curiosity to see you, and I desire he may be your guide to the Sultan's Court." "He needs but lead me the way I'll follow him." "Brother," replied

in their houses, while others, flying, communicated their fear to all they met, who stayed not to look behind them, but ran too; insomuch that Schaibar and Prince Ahmed, as they went along, found the streets all desolate till they came to the palaces where the porters, instead of ke

nted by Prince Ahmed, and accosted the Sultan of the Indies in these words: "Th

fore Prince Ahmed could intercede in his behalf. All that he could do was to prevent his killing the grand vizier, who sat not far from him, representing to him that he had always given the Sultan his father good advice. "These are they, then," said Schaibar, "who gave him bad," and as he pro

ce Ahmed, he said: "I know here is a certain magician, who is a greater enemy of my brother-in-law than all these base favorites I have chastised. Let the magician be brought to me presently." The grand vizier

e there present made the air echo again with the repeated acclamations of: "Long life to Sultan Ahmed"; and immediately after he was proclaimed through the whole town. Schaibar made him be clothed in the royal vestments, installed

r lives. Afterwards he sent an officer to Prince Houssain to acquaint him with the change and make him an offer of which province he liked best; but that Prince thought himself so happy in his solitude that he bade the officer retu

abian

OF JACK THE

boy of a bold temper, and took delight in hearing or reading of conjurers, giants, and fa

l, a huge giant, eighteen feet high and nine feet round; his

ainland in search of prey; when he would throw half a dozen oxen upon his back, and ti

for many years when Jack

twenty-two feet deep and twenty broad. He covered the top over so as to make it look like solid ground. He then blew his horn so loudl

into the pit, and Jack struck him a blow on the head with his pickaxe whi

power. This giant kept an enchanted castle in the midst of a lonely wood; and some time after th

le, where he locked him up in a large room, the floor of which

e a giant, to take a meal off his flesh; and Jack saw with ter

ach end, he threw them over their heads, and tied it to the window-bars; he then pulled till he had

oms, and in one of them found three ladies tied up by the hair of their heads, and almost starved to death. They told him that their husbands h

castle and all the riches it contains, to make some amends for the dreadful pains you have felt."

k knocked at the door, when there came forth a Welsh giant. Jack said he was a traveler who had lost his

ould not go to sleep. Soon after this he heard the giant walkin

ou lodge with

t see the mo

dash your brai

you are." Then, getting out of bed, he groped about the room, and at last found a large thick bille

ck many blows on the bed, in the very place where Jack had laid the log; and

k him for his lodging. The giant started when he saw him, and began to stammer out: "Oh! dear me; i

believe, gave me three or four slaps with its tail, an

ng for their breakfast. Jack wanted to make the giant believe that he could eat as much as himself, so he contrived to b

; I could cut off my head in one minute, and the next put it sound again on my shoulders. You shall see an example.

by such a little fellow as Jack, "hur can do that hurself"; so he snatched up

he therefore furnished himself with a horse, a cap of knowledge, a sword of sharpness, shoes of sw

he entered the forest when he beheld a monstrous giant dragging along by the hair of their heads a handsome knight and his lady. J

ral places; and at length, putting both hands to his sword and aiming with all his might, he cut off both his legs. Then

vices. "No," said Jack, "I cannot be easy till I find out this monster's habitation." So, taking the knight's directions, he mount

nd aimed a blow at the giant's head, but, missing his aim, he only cut off his

dispatch you!" so, jumping upon the block, he st

nd dales, till arriving at the foot of a high mountain he kno

ed castle, kept by the giant Galligantus and a vile magician. I lament the fate of a duke's daughter,

would break the enchantment; and after a sound sleep he rose

een them without the least fear of danger, for they could not see him because of his invisib

an this tr

the giant'

mpet and blew a shrill blast, which made the ga

of sharpness, soon killed the giant, and the magician was then carried away by a whirlwind; and every knight and beautiful lady who had been changed into

e, and next day they set out for the Court. Jack then went up to t

him his daughter in marriage, to the joy of all his kingdom. After this the King gave him a l

ld Ch

K BULL O

hunting son

of game

laintive strain

and's luv

easures nex

Black Bull o

tapers ce

rels ceas

Keeldar," b

chter gaed awa' to an auld witch washerwife and telled her purpose. The auld wife bade her stay that day, and gang and look out o' her back door, and see what she could see. She saw nocht the first day. The second day she did the same, and

" Her mither did sae; and awa' she gaed to the auld wife, as her sister had dune. On the third day she looked out o' the back door,

oor, and see what she could see. She did sae; and when she came back said she saw nocht. The second day she did the same, and saw nocht. The third day she looked again, and on coming back said to the auld wife she saw nocht b

reak it till she was in the greatest strait ever mortal was in in the world, and that wad bring her o't. Again she was lifted on the bull's back, and after she had ridden far, and farer than I can tell, they came in sight o' a far bonnier castle, and far farther awa' than the last. Says the bull till her: "Yonder we maun be the night, for my second brither lives yonder"; and they were at the place directly. They lifted her down and took her in, and sent the bull to the field for the night. In the morning they took the lady into a fine and rich room, and gave her the finest pear she had ever seen, bidding her no to break it till she was in the greatest strait ever mortal could be in, a

ane, and move neither hand nor fit till I come back, else I'll never find ye again. And if everything round about ye turns blue I hae beated the deil; but should a' things turn red he'll hae conquered me." She set hersel' down on t

lled of a gallant young knight that had given in some bluidy sarks to wash, and whaever washed thae sarks was to be his wife. The auld wife had washed till she was tired, and then she set to her dochter, and baith washed, and they washed, and they better washed, in hopes of getting the young knight; but a' they could do they couldna bring out a stain. At length they set the stranger damosel to wark; and whenever she began the stains came out pure and clean, but the auld wife made the knight believe it was her dochter had washed the sarks. So the knight and the eldest dochter were to be married, an

years I serv

hill I clam

shirt I wra

no wauken an

ts o' the apple. Wi' thae jewels she bargained for permission to be a second night in the young knight's chamber; but the au

ae; and he resolved to keep waking that night to try what he could hear. That being the third night, and the damosel being between hope and despair, she brak her plum, and it held far the richest jewelry of the three. She bargained as before; and the auld wife, as before, took in the sleeping-drink

years I serv

hill I clam

shirt I wra

no wauken an

a' that had happened to him. And he caused the auld washerwife and her dochter to be burned

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RED

ife that had twa sons to send them away to seeke their fortune. So she told her eldest son ae day to take a can and bring her water from the well, that she might bake a cake for him

im that, if he chose rather to have the hale, he would only get it wi' her curse. The young man, thinking he might hae to travel a far way, and not knowing when or how he might get other provisions, said he would like to hae the hale cake, com of his mother's malison what like; so she gave him the hale cake, and her

n the third day, in the afternoon, he came up to where a shepherd was sitting with a flock o' she

Etin of

ved in

ing Malcolm

of fair

her, he b

her on

y day he

right si

lian th

that fear

here's ane

is mort

man is

g may i

e espied an old man with white locks herding a flock of swine; and he

Etin of

the vers

me to another very old man herding goats; and wh

Etin of

the vers

t beasts that he should meet, for they were of

sitting beside the kitchen fire. He asked the wife if he might stay there for the night, as he was tired wi' a lang journey; and the wife said he might, but it was not a good place for him to be in, as it belanged to the Red Etin, who was a very terrible beast, wi' three heads, that spared no living man he could get hold of. The young man would have gone away, but he was afraid of the bea

ut and s

smell of an

ing, or b

ight shall kitch

n," that is

be spared. The first was: Whether Ireland or Scotland was first inhabited? The second was: Whether man was made for woman, or woman for man? The third was: Whether men or

requested him to take the can to the well for water, that she might bake a cake for him. The can being broken, he brought hame as little water as the other had done, and the cake was as little. She asked whether he would have the h

ght bake him a cake for his journey. And he gaed, and as he was bringing hame the water, a raven owre abune his head cried to him to look, and he would see that the water was running out. And he was a young man of sense, and seeing the water running out, he took some clay and patc

k; and for that she gied him a magical wand, that she said might yet be of service to him if he took care to use it rightly. Then the auld woman, who was a fairy, told him a great deal that whould happen to him, and what he ought

Etin of

ved in

ing Malcolm

of fair

her, he b

her on

y day he

right si

lian th

that fear

fear his e

stiny

to be, I

of all

nding the swine and the man attending the

o devour him, when he struck it with his wand, and laid it in an instant dead at his feet. He soon came to the Etin's castle, where he knocked, and was admitted. The auld

ut and s

smell of an

ing, or b

ll be kitchen

the King's daughters lay; and the old woman took him upstairs and opened a great many doors, and out of every door came a beautiful lady who had been imprisoned there by the Etin; and ane o' the ladies was the King's daughter. She also took him down into a low room, and there stood two stone pillars that he had only to touch wi' his wand, when his two friends and neighbors started into life. And th

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