Four and Twenty Fairy Tales

ted with Fairies, and be ignorant that the most skilful amongst them have failed to discover a charm which would secure them from the misf

y of mankind, they have frequently great difficulty in saving them

pt the fish that were daily required for the table of the King of that country. Anguillette (so was the Fairy named) found in her new abode a great many fine fish destined, like herself, to l

r in every direction to see if she could not by some means get out of the reservoir, and regain the river which ran [Pg 76] at no great distance from that spot. But the Fairy looked in vain. The tank was too deep for her to hope to get out of it without help, and her distress was augmented by seeing the fishermen who

and of all the colours of the rainbow. The young Princess caught sight of her, and thinking her exceedingly beautiful, ordered the fishermen to

d the Fairy's heart with gratitude. She appeared on the surface, and said to the Princess, "I owe you my life, generous Plousine (such was her name), but it is most fortunate for you that I

Wait till you have profited by my favour before you express your acknowledgments. Go, young Princess, and return to this spot to-morrow morning. Think, in the meantime, what you would wish for, and whatever it may be I will grant it. You may, at

g 77] "For," said she, to herself, "if Anguillette should de

rejoin her suite, which was composed of only

be her choice. Beauty almost turned the scale; but as she had sufficient sense

s she said, to present to the Queen, her mother, at her levée. Her attendants dispersed themselves about

le, of the most perfect purity. An instant afterwards, the column opened and the Fairy emerged from it, and appeared to the Princess

promise. You have chosen intellectual perfection, and you shall possess it from this very moment. You shall have s

alteration taking place in her mind. She thanked the Fairy

"for making the choice you have done, in lieu of preferring beauty of person, which has such charms for one of your sex and age, that to reward you, I will add the gi

d fortune. Her choice of superior intellect was dictated by reason, but the promise of surpa

steful garland with them, which she carried to the Queen; but what was her Majesty's astonishment, that of the

ured to contest her mental superiority; the

d several of the Queens and Princesses of her family. All these were beauties, and she indulged a hope that they would assist her in deciding on a style of beauty worthy to be solicited from a Fairy. The f

n to the next picture, in which was seen Pomona reclining on a couch of turf, beneath trees laden with the finest fruits in the world. She appeared so charming

e quiver slung behind her, and the bow in her hand. She was

the flowers of which, although exquisite, could not be compared to the bloom of her comple

g

whole person. Her tresses were the fairest in the world; the turn of her head was most graceful, her mouth charming, her figure p

templated with delight this lovely portrait, "I will wish to b

bed-chamber, where the day she awaited seemed

pt her word. She appeared, and threw a few drops of water in the face of

ms of the fortunate Plousine. She looked at her image in the water, and could not recognise herse

n addition to the wit and beauty I have endowed you with, I bestow on you all the treasures at my disposal. They are inexhaustible. You have but to wish whe

only by her voice and her talent that they recognised the amiable Princess. She informed the King that a Fairy had bestowed all those precious gifts upon her; and she was no longer called anything but Hebe, in consequence of h

anner were all the other Court beauties abandoned by their admirers. No tears or reproaches could stop the flight of th

s around her, while her

the greatest Sovereign in that part of the world requested the hand of that Princess in marriage, and the nuptials were celebrated with incredible magnificence. The King, Hebe's father, desired to take the field with a

ll magnificence, but everything about it was elegant, and of a charming simplicity. Nature alone had taken care to embellish the walks, which Art had not been employed to form.

ssed with a tedium and lassitude to which she was now constantly subject, she endeavoured to ascertain the

The [Pg 81] beneficence of the Fairy has accorded me all I wished for. I can heap treasures upon all who surround me. I am adored by all who behold me, and my heart is

tion. At length she determined to go to the bank of Anguil

ppeared on the surface of the water. It happened to

r own work." "You would deceive me," rejoined the Fairy; "I see it easily. You are no longer satisfied. Yet what more can you desire? Deserve my favour by a frank confession," added the gracious Fairy, "and I promise you I will again fulfil your wishes." "I know not what I wish," replied the charming Hebe. "But nevertheless," she continued, casting down her beautiful eyes, "I feel a lack of something, and that, whatever it may be, it is that which is absolutely e

t value to me are all the gifts you have bestowed upon me, if I cannot in turn make with them the

gan to dissipate her melancholy. The warnings of the Fairy caused her some anxiety; but

succeeding one. She took her departure accordingly, a few hours after the receipt of the message, and returned to the Court, where she was received with great pleasure by the King and Queen; who informed her

wered the Princess. "Describe, him to me," said Hebe, with emotion. "He is such as they paint heroes," replied Ilerie. "His form is graceful; his demeanour noble; his eyes are full of a fire that has already

little flattered?" "No, sister," replied the Princess Ilerie, with a sigh she cou

time to examine her heart, perceived that she had lost that

ent itself to my sight? Your prudent counsels are rendered vain [Pg 83] by its presence. Why do you not give me s

dress herself for the fête that evening occupied her the whole day, to a degree she had b

that evening; it was succeeded by a marvellous banquet. The young foreigner would have been struck by its prodigious splendour, if he could have looked at anything besides Hebe. After the banquet, a novel and brilliant illumination shed another daylight over the palace gardens. It was summer-time; the company descended into the gardens for the pleasure of an evening promenade. The hands

and roses. Whilst the Queen was engaged in conversation with the King and a host of courtiers that surrounded them, the Princesses amused themselves by reading the sentences formed by small lamps under the various

re inev

g

appy augury for his love, as it appeared unmingled with anger. The fête terminated with a thousand delightful novelties. The charms of the stranger had touched too sensibly the heart of Ilerie for her to be

linations of her heart. What excuses for yielding! She could no longer struggle against herself. The charming Stranger had informed her that he was the son of a King, and that his name was Atimir. This name was known t

iry had warned her, gave permission to Atimir to disclose to the King his rank and his love. The young Prince was transporte

beautiful Hebe was promised to her happy lover as soon as he had received the consent of the King, his father. The news was soon circulated, and the

and in those happy [Pg 85] days the young Princess could not imagine why the Fairies did not

bearer of the required consent, and preparations were immediately commenced for the celebration of those grand nuptial

she, to a young person seated beside her. "The gods will not permit me to behold the ungrateful object of my love united to the too fortunate Hebe. My torments are too keen to endure much longer." "But, madam," replied her female companion, "Prince Atimir is not faithless; he has never avowed love for you. Destiny alone is to blame for your misfortunes, and amongst all the princes who adore you, you might find, perhaps, one more amiable than he is, d

nd the contemplation of her [Pg 86] charms banished for the moment all other thoughts from his mind. In passing through the gardens, as he returned with the Princess Hebe to the Palace, he trod upon something which attracted his attention. He picked it up, and found it was a set of magnificent tablets. It was not far f

ndisposed on returning from her walk. Atimir perfectly understood that her object was to conceal the agitation

ed by two little Cupids, one of whom appeared to be wiping the tears from his cheeks with the end of the ribbon that bandaged his eyes, and the other breaking his arrows. The sight of t

uering Love thy

ance sweet peac

e, to try on

meant to wound

these sentiments, which far from being nourished by his love and attentions, were not even encouraged by hope. These verses reminded him that previous to the arr

ons; but [Pg 87] his heart was accustomed to ran

ut he took them up again a moment afterwards, despite himself, and found in the

was the effect of his inconstancy! The King desired to visit the Queen; the Prince was obliged to follow him. He had been there but a short time when the Princess Ilerie appeared with an air of melancholy which made her more lovely in the eyes of the inconstant Atimir, who was aware of its cause. H

emotion she could not conceal. "Avoid her, sir, or end at once my existence." The Prince had not power to answer her. Hebe approached them with a grace and charm which unconsciously loaded with reproaches the ungrateful Atimir. He could no

Queen that in three days she was to be the bride of Atimir. How unworthy was

rt of the day in Hebe's company. Ilerie was present, and was a thousand times r

Prince was presented with a note by an unknown messen

sentiments which chance has revealed to you, come, Prince, come, and learn the determination to which I a

and gold embroidery. Her dress was rich and elegant, the material being of yellow and silver tissue. Her hair, which was black and exceedingly beautiful, was ornamented with ribbons of the same colour as the dress, and ties of yellow diamonds. At her sight, Atimir could not persuade himself that infidelity was a crime. He knelt at her feet, and Ilerie, gazing upon him with a tenderness sufficiently indicative of the emotion of her heart, said, "Prince, I have not caused you to come hither in order to persuade you to break off your marriage; I know t

e no obstacle shall exist to our happiness." "Ah, Prince!" said Ilerie, with a sigh, "can I confide, then, in one so faithless?" "He will never be faithless to you," rejoined Atimir. "And the King, your father, who gave Hebe to me, will not refuse to sanction my union with t

depart the following night. They separated with regret, and, notwithstanding the vows of Atimir, Ilerie still fe

soon as everybody in the palace had retired to their apartments, he hastened to join Ilerie in the pavilion in the garden, w

y enraged; but no words can express the agony of the unfortunate and charming Hebe. What despair! what tears! what petitions to the Fairy Anguillette to terminate torments equal to the most cruel she had predicted! But the Fairy kept her word. In vain did Hebe seek the riverside.

g

ffectionate heart. She determined to fly from her father's kingdom; but, before her departure, she went once more in search of Anguillette. The Fairy could

ill bear you to the only spot in the world where you can be cured of your unfortunate attachment; but take care," added Anguillette, raising her voice, "when your heart shall have regained its tranquillity, that you never seek to behold again the faithless Atimir, or it will cost you your life!" Hebe wished more than once to see t

pattern; the sails, of rose-colour and silver tissue; and in every part of it was inscribed the word "Liberty." The crew we

as much a prey to sorrow in this new abode as she was in her father's Court. They strove in vain to amus

erty a great number of birds that had been caught in them, and some of these little creatures seemed to be soaring to the skies with marvellous velocity. All the other pictures displayed similar subjects. None

trees were of surprising height and beauty, and as the vessel neared them, she perceived they were covered with birds of the most brilliant plumage, whose songs made a charming concert. Their notes were very soft, and it appeared as if they were afraid of making too much noise. They lande

he Princes who reigned in these parts, had conferred upon it, for two thousand years, the happy power of curing unfortun

ted Princess Carpillon and her charming husband, of whom a modern Fairy, wiser and more pol

g

the charms of Hebe were worthy to inspire. The noise awoke her, and on opening her lovely eyes, she was struck by a thousand beauties in the young Prince. He was of the same age as Hebe—just nineteen. He was perfectly handsome, his figure full of grace, his height above the ordinary standard, and his hair, which fell in rich curls down to his waist, was of the same colour as Hebe's. His dress was composed of feathers of a thousand different colours, over which he wore a sort of man

g Princess at her waking. He appeared worthy of her observation, and for the

g, as she rose to her feet, "could have so soon informed you of my having landed on this island?" "A powerful Fairy," answered the young monarch, "who, desirous of making me the happiest Prince in the world, and this country t

gathered from his language and his attendants that he was the sovereign of the island, she insisted on his seating himself beside her. Never had two such beautiful persons been seen in the same car. All the Prince's courtiers at the sight invol

pproached through long and beautiful avenues, bordered by canals of

othed with flame-coloured feathers, and wore sabres with golden hilts, and sheaths ornamented with turquoises. The royal party entered the third court, in which the guards were dressed in white

he ladies were beautiful; the men gallant and graceful; and although everybody in the Island was dressed in fe

by a concert of flutes, lutes, theorbos and harpsichords. In that country they were not fond of any noisy inst

t conceive a happier state Than constant bondage in a

g

as sung, with an expression which persuaded her

o the apartment selected for her. It was the most beautiful room in the palace. She found in it

have believed it?" said she to them, as soon as they were left together, "my heart is tranquil. What deity has appeased my sufferings? I no longer love Atimir. I can think that he is the husband of Ilerie without dying of gri

those places in which you might chance to meet the ungrateful Atimir." What promises did not the young Princess make to the Fairy! How repeatedly did she abjure love and her faithless lover! "Remember, at least, your promises," rejoined the Fairy, with an air that inspired respect. "You will perish with Atimir should you ever seek again to behold him; but everything around you here ought to prevent your entertaining a desire so fatal to your existence. I will no longer concea

Ilerie since her departure, but she dared not, after so many favours, run the risk of d

d as Cupids, brought to her from the Prince twelve crystal baskets, filled with the most brilliant and fragrant flowers in the world. These flowe

Divin

er can be The vows I uttered from my fond heart's core; For Love hims

that she ought to receive these attentions from her new adm

magnificently attired, appeared, bearing other presents. They consisted of dresses made entirely of feathers; but the colours, the wor

ments, that the Prince of the Peaceful Island, who came to see her as soon as she was dressed, felt his passion for her redoubled. All the Court hastene

promise, she appeared distressed, and said to me, 'The Princess Hebe is destined by her father to another; but if my science does not deceive me, she will not marry the Prince who has been chosen for her husband. I will let you know the issue.

dominions were adjacent to those of my father; but, after several events, the love he co

Fairy's desire, had brought the Princess into his dominions. She listened to him with greater pleasure, as it interrupted her account of her ow

phs and shepherds, but they could scarcely be distinguished in the obscurity. As soon as the Princess had remained a few minutes in the grotto, she heard some agreeable music. A sudden and very brilliant illumination dis

rtissement in [Pg 97] the depths of the gro

d served up a superb collation under a

awn by four monkeys. She descended, and announced to the Prince of the Peaceful Island a delightful piece of good fortune, by app

ere due to Hebe or to Anguillette; and although joy does not inspire one with such affec

She made superb presents to the fair Hebe and to the Prince of the Peaceful Island, and at length, on the day she had named,

live and palmtrees interlaced, and which,

ated on an altar, decorated only with flowers, and leaning on a little Cupid of exq

lone could render Hymen happy. The difficulty is to unite them. As it was a miracle worthy the power of a Fairy, she had joined them indi

leasure. She did not feel for him the same involuntary inclination which she had done for Atimir; but her heart, being at that moment free from passion,

splendid entertainments, and Hebe found

marriage Queen Ilerie sent other ambassadors to her royal parents to request permission for her to revisit their Court, and to obtain their forgiveness for the fault which love had caused her to commit, and which the merit of Atimir might be pleaded in excuse of. The King consented, and Atimir proceeded to the Palace with his bride. A

eart in which she had reigned with such supreme power. Atimir sighed, in spite of himself, at the recital of the happiness of the P

e King and Queen had manifested at the tidings of her happy marriage. But, oh! too faithful chroniclers, they informed her at the same time that the Princess Iler

her. It was only, she said, to see once more him and her mother. She believed t

is voyage to the Prince of the Peaceful Island. At first he refused. Anguillette had forbidden him to let Hebe go out of his dominions. She continued t

s for their departure, and never was there seen such magnific

the Peaceful Island to her instructions, abandoned them to their destiny, and did not

e more that dear Princess. They were charmed with the Prince of the Peaceful Island: they celebrated the arrival of the royal pair by a thousand entertainments throug

appeared to Ilerie, indeed, that he preferred

ent, and they both felt an embarrassment out of whic

eir conversation; and to render the visit shorter, prop

g

hand to Hebe. He bowed to h

and tender passion he had formerly felt for Hebe was rekindled in a moment. He hated Ilerie; h

sly for an opportunity of speaking to her. She continued to avoid him; but her glances were too clearly comprehended by him f

e never spoke to him but in presence of the Queen, and then only when she could not possibly avoid it. She resolved also to advise the

und in her pocket a note, which had been slipped into it unperceived by her, and the handwriting of Atimir, which she recognised, threw her into an agit

heart, fair Hebe, faithless is in turn, So soon my fatal falsehood could it learn

to share. Both have their fetters broken, it is true, But I my bondage hasten to r

that you seek to rekindle in my soul a passion [Pg 101] which has

e Prince of the Peaceful Island began to perceive his attachment to Hebe; but he was desirous of examining more narrowly the conduct of Atimir before he

was proclaimed. The Princes, and all the young noblemen of th

ere to confer the prizes with their own hands. One was a sword, the hilt and sheath of which were entir

nd mounted on the finest horses in the world. Each wore the colours of his mistress, and on

predominant. It was the favourite colour of Hebe. An ample plume of the same hue floated above his light helmet. He drew down the applause of all the spectators, and looked

red according to the fashion of their country. Everything around him was elegant

ing many others at it to inflict fresh wounds, [Pg 102] but all except

r no o

l Island, rendered it obvious that it was as the champ

orned with gold, silver, or jewels; but on his helmet he wore a tuft of rose-coloured feathers, and although he affected great negligence in his attire, he was so handsome, and bore himself so proudly, that from the moment he entered the l

ne are wor

-looking men, it was easy to see by the air of Atimir that he was born to command them. It is impossible to describe the various emotions which the sight of Atimir awakened in the h

fury, which he controlled for the moment, only

y and imprudence of Atimir, and were exceedingly

good. All the young knights made proof of their skill. The Prince of the Peaceful [Pg 103] Is

the Prince of the Peaceful Island. The judges of the field declared the latter victor; and, amidst the acclamation and applause of all th

it with due respect, and having saluted the King, Que

son vainly endeavoured to stifle in her heart. Other courses were run with results similar to those which had preceded them. The Prince of the Peaceful Island, animated by the presence of Hebe, performed wonders

rving in his saddle. The acclamations were redoubled, and the Princes, without giving their horses time to breathe, returned to their places, received fresh lances, and ran a second course with the same address as the first. The King, who feared to see Fortune give the v

y Atimir, who, seizing the first opportunity to reply, said, "Go, tell the King that I should be unworthy th

land, clapping spurs to his horse, "who best deserve

y before the two rivals, animated by stronger feelings than the mer

orse of the Prince of the Peaceful Island, fatigued with the many

," replied the haughty Atimir. "I will await thee to-morrow at sunrise in the wood that borders the palace gardens." The Judges of the Field joined them as these last words were uttered, and the Princes mutually affected unconcern, for fear the King should suspect and frustrate their intentions. The Prince of the Peaceful Island remounted his horse, and rode with all th

uch discontented with the termination of the day. Atimir, occupied only by his passion, left the lists, forbid

t depart," she said to herself. "What other

g

t entail upon them. They resolved also to make the same proposition to the Prince of the Peaceful Island, in order not to show any preference for either; but

d desired he might not be followed, and that he appeared very melancholy. The fair Hebe thought it was her duty to seek and console him for the slight mischa

, who, transported by his passion, and listening only to its promptings, threw himself on his knees at a short distance from the Prince

s grasp the sword, the point of which he had directed towards himself with desperate resolution. Hebe, the u

the feet of the Princess. Never was so much agitation, so much love, so much anguish, displayed in an interview that lasted but a few minutes. No words can express the feelings of those wretched lovers during that brief period. Hebe, alarmed at finding herself in the company of Atimir, almost, perhaps, in sight of the Prince of the Peaceful Island, mad

k for the Prince of the Peaceful Island in the gardens, and throughout the Palace; but he was nowhere to be found, and she became extremely anxious on his account. They hunted for him all night long, but in vain, for he had concealed himself in a little rustic building in the middle of the wood, to be more certain that no one c

imir worthily sustained in this combat the high reputation he had previously acquired. The Princes were animated by too many vindictive feelings for their encounter not to terminate fatally. Af

loss of his; and Atimir, mortally wounded, uttere

Peaceful Island arrived on the spot, and were ho

d the Prince of the Peaceful Island was dead as well as Atimir, and at that moment there was little difference to be distinguished between them. "Precious lives," exclaimed Hebe, despairingly, after gazing for an instant on the unfortunate Princes,—"precious lives, which have be

these beautiful beings. The Fairy upbraided Fate, and could not restrain her tears. Then hastening to succour the Prince of the Peaceful Island, who she knew was still breathing, she healed h

y to their sorrow; and time only brought them consolation. As to Ilerie, nothing could excee

mir and the lovely Hebe. At the same instant they were transformed into two trees of the most perfect beauty. The Fairy gave them the name of Charmes,[9