Four and Twenty Fairy Tales

heart without even employing all his power. A handsome Knight arrived at the Court of the Fairy in search of adventures. He was amiable, the son of a ki

hort time the proposals which the handsome Knight made to her. The Fairy was beautiful, and he was sincerely in love with her. She married him,

ached himself to some young beauties of his Court, and the Fairy was tormented by a jealousy which proved fatal to several of her rivals. She had had

ntelligence, the sweetest beauty, and with graces still more charming than beauty. He

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k in the world. Her mouth small and exquisitely formed, her teeth of surprising whiteness. Her lovely eyes were black, s

She had postponed that favour in order to judge the better in process of time by wha

sixteen: and the Fairy employed all her science in the formation of a spell which should enable the Princess to remain for ever exactly as she appeared at that moment. What greater benefit could she bestow on Young and Handsome than the happiness of never ceasing to be like herself? The Fairy lost the Kin

before she returned to her wilderness, she assembled in the most beautiful palace in the world all the pleasures and sports she had long banish

ered themselves much less than they do now) came in crowds to the Court of Young and Handsome, an

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some new entertainment. Everybody composing it was happy, except her lovers, who adored her without hope. She looked with favou

some of her nymphs, the better to enjoy the charm of solitude. Absorbed by agreeable reflections, (what could she think of that would

k of a little brook that murmured sweetly as it rippled over the pebbles in its path. It was overshadowed by a tuft of trees. A young shepherd, stretched on the grass beside the rivulet,

s upon the youth. What a beautiful vision! Cupid himself

d to be about eighteen, of a commanding form; his brown hair, naturally curling, fell in wavy locks upon his shoulders, and was in perfect harmony with the most char

otion to which it had hitherto been a stranger, and

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erd when he is loveable, just as if he were the greatest monarch i

ppy idea of being loved in return. She did not dare to wake the handsome shepherd, for fear he should remark her agitation; and pleasing herself with the no

rise when, on rising from the grass on which he had been lying, he found himself attired in the most tasteful and magnificent fashion. The colours of his dress were yellow and grey, laced with silver. His wallet was embroidered all over with the initials of Young and

lected in the neighbouring stream. Young and Handsome, meanwhile, f

covered with silk whiter than snow, in lieu of their ordinary fleec

of the others. She came skipping over the gr

den collar, on which bands of small

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love her hopes would rest; A look, a word, her youthfu

ge. He did not observe any change in its exterior, but he had scarcely crossed the threshold when a delicious fragrance announced to him some agreeable novelty. He found the walls of his little hut hung with a

was very intelligent. The shepherds of that country were not ordinary shepherds. Some of them were descended from Kings or great Princes, and Alidor

or Fairy who had bestowed upon him such tasteful and beautiful proofs of her affection. He paced his chamber with a sweet anxiety which he had never before experienced. As night fell, an agreeable illumination appeared to shed a new daylight throughout the cottage. The musings of Alidor were inter

h adventures. He endeavoured to question the little Cupid; but, instead of answering, the boy shot arrows at him, which, the moment they struck, became drops of exquisitely scented water. Al

the young shepherd. His impatience to learn to whom he was indebted for all these pleasures i

is the master there, Will he my form and face account less fair? Of my affection he will be too sure, But that ma

nd by your presence crown my happiness. I believe you to

reigned in the cottage and invited the shepherd to sweet repose. He threw himself on his bed, but i

mself beside the brook, when a canopy, composed of a most brilliant stuff of flame-colour and gold was attached to the branches of the nearest trees to shelter Alidor from the rays of the sun

ed to him. More than [Pg 114] one shepherd felt jealous, and more than one shepherdess reddened with mortification. There were few of the latter in

le impatience the conversation of the shepherdesses. Some amongst them were very c

sured the young Fairy. The shepherdesses quitted Alidor r

arose around it, and Alidor invited his friends, the shepherds who had come to join him, to share his repast. On seating themselves at the table, they dis

ned by rustic, but graceful, music, and a v

to this bosom impart; Ye shepherds, who beauty and wort

nks of the rivulet. The melody of the music was not so much the attraction which led them to this spot, as

heir crooks were adorned with them, and Young and Handsome, with a simple wreath of jonquils, which produced a charming effect in her [Pg 115] beautiful black hair, appeared the most enchanting person in the world. The

attract less attention. The sincerest homage is always paid to beauty. Young and Hand

isite a person is too superior to all other beauties to remain mingled with them." He offered his hand, and Young and Handsome, delighted with the sentiments which the sight of her had begun to awaken in the breast of her shepherd, allowed herself to be led by Alidor beneath the canopy which had been attached to the trees as soon as he had arrived at the spot that

tinguished may be the place Alidor has induced you to accept, it is one, perhaps, very dangerous to occupy." "I believe so," answered the Fairy, with a smile that had power to captivate all hearts. "The shepherdesses of this village will find it difficult to [Pg 116] forgive me the preference which Alidor appears to have accorded to me amongst so many beauties more deserving of it." "No," rejoined Iphis; "our shepherdesses will be mo

ance, and never was more grace displayed than on this occasion. Alidor was her partner, who surpassed himself. Never had the most magnificent fêtes at the Court of Young and Handsome afforded her so much pleasure as this rural entertainment. Love embellishes every spot in which we behold the object of our affections. Alidor felt his passion increasing every instant, and made a thousand vows to sacrifice all the goddesses

shepherd's heart, she ceased paining it, spoke no more to Iphis during the rest of the day, and bestowed on Alido

followed by her nymphs and watched by the shepherds, who were in hopes that, by following her at a distance, they might discover, without her perceiving them, the village to which these divine beings belonged; but the moment that Young and Handsome had entered a little wood which concealed he

mphs, passed half of the night in hunting the woods and the neighbourhood. Some authors have asserted that the nymphs, following t

having seen her the whole day, but not one of them ventured to reproach her for it. It was necessary to be a very submissive and respectful suitor in the palace of Young and Handsome, or she would speedily issue an o

ll into frequent fits of musing, and the princes, her lovers, attentive to all her actions, imagined that

se we love, everything that presents itself in th

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ain the road his divine shepherdess had taken. Everything in his cottage was as charming as when he had left it; but as in musing he cast his eyes upon the floor of his little chamber, he perceived a change in it. In lieu o

d you permit so lovely a shepherdess to present herself to my sight? Alas! what divinity could defend a heart from the effects of such charms!" Young

nd even a little jealous; for it often recurred to him that his shepherdess had spoken with some interest to Iphis. The p

anxiety, spoke not a word to him. The table disappeared, and the child, approach

rait of a young female of such perfect beauty, that imagination can scarcely

s depends on

beautiful portrait, "not to be enchanted by so lovely [Pg 119]

at was his astonishment at the sight of the portrait of his shepherdess, resp

ed of her dress was that of a shepherdess. The handsome shepherd was so transported with his love, that he

ons, or thy love wil

The beautiful face he had contemplated unmoved was only a fancy portrait. The young Fairy was desirous of ascerta

mer evening, unaccompanied by thunder. The nymphs rejoined her: they had also desired to hear something more of their lovers. Some of them were sufficiently pleased. They had found their swains occupied with recollections of them, and speaking of the

e arising from her impatience to see him again. As to Alidor, he slept a little, and without alarming himself at the warnings which he had read beneath the two miniatur

een Young and Handsome; his pretty dog took good care of it. T

hs. Never were audiences so short; yet, notwithstanding, a considerable portion of the day passed in the performance of these

er any hope of seeing his shepherde

de verses on her absence, and with the ferrule of

es Cupid so relies That he has thrown all other darts away; How wretched in your absence must I be Who prize

l still attired as shepherdesses. Alidor recognised her a long way off. He ran—he flew towards Young and Handso

eceding evening, and offered a thousand times to follow her to the end of the world to fly from the love which a goddess or a fairy had unfortunately conceived for him. "My loss would be too great should you fly from that fairy," [Pg 121] replied Young and Handsome, in her sweetest manner. "It is

y twelve white horses of surpassing beauty. They were harnessed four abreast. Young and Handsome stepped into the car, and caused the comely shepherd to take his seat beside her. Her nymphs found room in it also, and as soon as they had all taken their places, the beautiful horses, who had no occasion for a driver t

jasmines and lemon-trees. They were only breast-high. Beneath them ran a lovely river, which encompassed the court-yard; beyond it a charming grove, a

ous; but there was not room enough in them for the residence of Young and Handsome, and all her Court, which was the most numerous and magnificent in the universe. T

d with an art that displayed the power and good taste of the young Fairy, even in the most simple things. All the rooms i

and if the heats of summer were ever permitted to penetrate these agreeable bowers, it was on

of a single topaz, and placed on a platform in an alcove of porcelain. Four columns, composed of amethysts of the most perfect beauty, supported a canopy of magnificent yellow and

n the Myrtle Room. A splendid supper was served in the Jonquil Saloon. An elegant

ong before he tasted the sweets of slumber in the Myrtle Room, to which he was conducted by the nymphs, on the termination of the en

oung and Handsome appeared a thousand times more lovely than Venus. She passed a part of the day with Alidor and the nymphs in the garden of the castle, the beauties of which surpassed the most marvellous des

rd passionately desired to follow the young Fairy, but she commanded him to remain in the Castle of Flowers. She wished to hide her attachment from the eyes of all her Court. No one entered this castl

h had always followed him, that she might take it with

rs, and watered by an agreeable spring, which arose near the middle of the wood, he perceived his flock gambolling in the grass. It was watched by six young female slaves, with handsome features, dressed in blue an

is little dwelling was built of cedar. The initials of Young and Handsome and Alidor entwined together, appeared in every

meads for ever rove. By that Shepherd

e kindness of the young Fairy. He declined [Pg 124] any entertainment th

happy lover. What joy was theirs to behold each other again! All the

appeared at Court. In vain did the princes, her suitors, grieve almost t

er Fairy, besides Young and Handsome, had seen the beautif

s seated, a little creature about half a yard high, very old, with hair whiter than snow, a standing collar, and an old-fashioned farthingale. "I am the Fairy Mordicante," said she to the handsome shepherd; "and I come to announce to thee a much greater happiness than that of being beloved by Young and Handsome." "What can that be?" inquired Alidor, wi

wn lot; and if the charming Fairy I adore were but a simple shepherdess, I could be as happy with her in a cottage as I am now in the loveliest palace in th

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ry Mordicante. She was very aged, had always been ugly, and exceedingly susceptible. Young and Handsome and her happy lover

lover and think of

tiest boats in the world. The barge of Young and Handsome was shaded by a canopy formed of a light blue and silver tissue. The dresses of the rowers were of the same material. Other small boats, filled with excellent mus

extraordinary airs on their shells, and the Syrens sang some graceful melodies, which for a while entertained the young Fairy and the beautiful shepherd. Young and Handsome, who was accustomed to wonders, imagined that it was some pagea

pted to swim to her, but the Tritons carried him off despite his resistance, and Young

, appeared to him, and professed her affection for him. The shepherd, exasperated at being torn from Young and Handsome, treated the wicked Fairy with all the contempt she deserved. What could equal the rage of Mordicante? But her love was still too violent to permit her to destroy the object of it. After detaining Alidor several days in this frightful prison, she resolved to endeavour to conquer the faithful shepherd by new artifices. She transported him suddenly to a magnificent palace. He was served with a sumptuousness which had not been excee

ould at length overcome the fidelity of the shepherd; and her object in surrounding him with so many beautiful nymphs, was but to take herself the figure of the one which might mos

ome. One day, without being seen, she was watching him in a beautiful gallery, the windows of which opened upon the sea; Alidor, leaning over a balustrade, mused in silence for a considerable time. But, at length, after a heavy sigh, he uttered such tender and touching lamentations, depicting so vividly his passion for the you

d Handsome; and satisfied that he had nothing to fear on her account from the wrath of Mordicante,

had disappeared as soon as their task was accomplished, and the young Fairy was convinced that it was the cruel Mordicante who had bereft

r, revived their hopes. They had discovered at last that Young and Handsome could feel as well as inspire affection. They redoubled their attentions. Each flattered himself with the sweet hope to occupy some day the place of that fortunate lover; but Young and Handsome, inconsolable fo

er interest in your embellishment." As she ceased speaking, she heard the murmur of a gentle breeze that, agitating the flowers of this beautiful garden, arranged them instantaneously in various forms. First, they represented the initials of You

s. Thus for Flora, every morn, Doth he mead and grove adorn. Ho

gs of pearl. The car approached the earth, and Zephyr descended from it close to the young Fairy. He addressed her with all the eloquence of a very charming and very gallant Divinity; but the young Fairy, in lieu of feeling flattered by so brilliant a c

He had a God for his rival, and was

had given up all hopes of shaking the constancy of Young and Handsome, and was moved by the tears which he saw her unceasingly shed for the loss of Alidor, exclaimed one day, on finding her more depressed than usual, "Sinc

spired me with sufficiently to enable me to render you an agreeable service." So saying, he flew away, leaving Young and Handsome to indulge in a sweet hope. Zephyr did not deceive her. He was not in the habit of loving for any length of time, without the certainty of eventual success; and it was evident to him that the young Fairy was too constant for him to hope that

tancy of Young and Handsome; but he did not make himself visible

w lovely each appeared, and how fondly was each beloved! What thanks did not these fortunate lovers re

ted it by a thousand festivities throughout her empire, despite the vexation of the princes,

he gave him the Castle of Flowers, and caused him to be acknowledged king of that beautiful country, over which his ancestors had formerly reigned. Alidor became the greatest monarch in the universe, on the same spot where he had been the most charming shep

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