The Hope of the Katzekopfs

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But, as has been already intimated, this measure was only the prelude to a further trial; for his Fairy-sponsor had no intention of allowing him to quit Fairy-land, till his mind had

but instead of being, as on a former occasion, an ill-tempered, unhappy, weary, hungry boy, he was there with a light heart, expecting companions w

ers were of a more dazzling brilliancy, and more perfect fragrance. The fruits upon the trees were even more tempting in their appearance. Th

te hair, and white beard, and a long grey robe reaching down to his feet. He was very pale, and very thin, and his shoulders were rather bent. He was not different in height and size, from the generality of the inhabitants of Fairy-land; and so the Prince supposed, at first sight, that, in spite of

’s expression was stern and even repulsive. Under ordinary circumstances, the Prince would have said to himself, “What an odd, disagreeable face is that!” would have turned away fro

old man, “I have been long looking for y

nwillig’s ears, sounded rather harsh and grating; but the old man’s manner w

ble that you should have been 169long looking for me? Are

a short time; but they have long s

are you,

st me. But you may be satisfied of my good-will towards you, since it was by the Lady Abracadabra’s directi

e Prince, “you forget that I have the active limbs of yout

r is on the other side. I am more lik

avelled with any

” answered the stranger with a sigh, “and some,” he added, “have I

panion,” said the Prince, “for though you look severe,

de appears at hand. The Lady Abracadabra did not mean to restrict you in your c

e left, and there, close by his side, he perceived a tiny sprite, scarce a span high, w

so small, wearing the 171human form. “Surely!” he remarked to

d deal of exertion, they are unable to see him at all. And what is very remarkable, he never appears alike to two persons at the same time. For

you surprise me! To me he seems to ha

meaning at the Prince, and smiling, sa

the Hope of t

r, with the same smile, and quiet tone, “some persons are more 172qui

nothing to find fault with in

an smiled

y, endeavouring to attract attention, as it should seem,

tones which, to the Prince’s ear, sounded the softest and most agree

I am. I can only engage that I will 173be a safe and faithful friend to you, and that I ever keep the promises which I make. If he makes large professions to you, perhaps you will do well to consider his probable ability to fulfil them. I will now leave you to make your decision. I will not interrupt your colloquy, nor attempt to bias your judgment. You have

derstand. But he felt that, at any rate, the old man’s intentions towards him were kind, and, there

ast; “did your royal highness speak? Perhaps you wished that that venerable gen

sitation, “it is unnecessary; but perhaps you c

tranger to your roy

the Katzekopfs, “I am pretty

obtrude himself into the best society; and if by any chance accident he gets admission therein, he is sure to meddle with matters that don’t con

” inquired

anwhile, allow me to tender my own allegiance, and to assure you that if you should so

on very frequently,” observed the Prince, “what

but the very highest. You bear that in your eye, and on your brow. But, my gracious Prince, though you see me now for the first time, you are no stranger to me. I am of a race who walk invisible, and, if I may 176be

n, I pray you, how such a thing can have

te; “but it is among the mysteries which

ho you are? How call they

service,” answe

sought me here?”

cadabra, being well aware of my anxiety to befriend you, permit

this cou

ffidence) is a great deal more than our friend in the gray habiliments undertook for himself. I can fly, while he can only creep. I am ready to join in any merry sport

ur. He looks so austere, and his dress and appearance are so unlike those of the rest of the world, that

d the matter, for the Prince was not accustomed to be laughed at, and the thought of appearing ridiculous to anybody was

inable, my gracious Prince, if y

t will t

h active, are so slight, that I am a bad walker, and soon wearied. Have

illig, “I can stow you away in my po

ited for no s

d,” exclaimed 179the Hope of t

st nonchalant tone imaginable. “Thank you, I’m quite comfortabl

ke your hands reach in front of my neck? A moment

st; but I’m comfortable now,” replied the Sp

ling me,” said the Princ

on get used to the pressure; and I am sure

cating me;” and he endeavoured to unloose the tiny fingers which 18

d,” cried the Prince

le as I am directly. Why should not we both be comfortable? It is useless to writh

n those knees which, but a minute before, were so tiny as to be scarc

but for this there was now no help; the only question was, how to get rid of him. If the Prince had given himself time for consideration, it might have occurred to him as probable that such a boastful little creature, as Selbst had already shown himself to be, was not likely to have much resolution about him when fairly encountered. Selbst, in fact, was little better than a cowardly

prite at once, his heart failed him, and he thought within himself 182that, having given Selbst such an a

, “There! now I hope you will be satisfied. It is no use struggling with me. I am sure to carry the day. So, that point b

sit more lightly, and by an apparent relaxation of his hold, the royal traveller became much better reconciled to his companion, and proceede

thought of being released from it. He ceased to find it troublesome, and grew so intimate with Selbst, that he felt as

subservient to him, but he did not choose that his victim should become aware of the extent to whic

, and also to learn the method by which sunbeams can be extracted from cucumbers. Remembering how much his mother was apt 184to suffer from cold in the winter season, he felt desirous to be able to carry home a recipe whic

to the scheme. However, what with enlarging on the length of the journey, and the difficulties to be encountered, he contrived so effectually, though so skilfully, to work on the Prince, that his royal highness ga

elf in such a comfortable position; but he evidently thought of nobody but himself. If the wallet of provisions was opened, Selbst, while appearing anxious that the Prince should take refreshment, contrived to lay his own hands on the delicacies which were choicest: if the flask of wine was produced, Selbst drained it all but a few drops. And what was stranger still, even the little which the Prince secu

y. Happening, while the sun was shining brightly, to catch a glimpse of his own shadow on an opposite rock, he perceived that Selbst had increased in bulk to such a degree that, instead of being any longer a span hi

of the Katzekopfs f

are increased in size, since you 187mounted on

ite. “I am quite comfortable. I

n’s nutriment. But the excitement and alarm passed off almost immediately; somehow or other he got reconciled to the state of things, and grew quite apathetical abo

ting the Prince to go in this direction or that, as the fancy happened to take h

journeyed some hours longer. “Your body is so warm it quit

a broiling sun, and with you on my back? I

ind. I am quite comfortable, all except the heat, and I shall

get how hot I am: to stand

ng as I can keep myself comfortable? I

ig, his natural disposition breaking

e. “Call me what you please, I care not; on

pproached the water’s edge, he saw a sight reflected on its glassy surface which made him start ba

don’t you go in?” crie

d he replied, “Look at your own reflection in the water. How can you expect me who

Hitherto he had contrived to keep his limbs out of the Prince’s sight, but Eigenwillig had now

: you are stronger than I am, and I can’t help

for a moment what he would do; but his mind was soon made up, for he gave the boy another kick, and

he, “you will break my ribs, and then

oined Selbst, and tried to force him forward. The Prince threw h

eat mind to throw you into the water, and hold you there till you are

oint, and proved himself

ow was the time to follow up his advantage, and never to rest till he had shaken off his troublesome companion. But the boy had been so cowed and alarmed at the sight of the prodigious size of his adversar

o make it seem as if his yielding was rather the result of good-nature than necessity, whereby he hoped

of an agreeable companion. He had now learned the falseness and hollowness of his professions; he began to see through his artifices; he was no longer unconscious of his unwiel

accomplished. It set the Prince upon reflecting on the Lady Abracadabra’s

le stranger who had first appeared to him, and w

e wrong; and then, though the old man had been so kind to him, it is sometimes difficult to get over first impressions, and the stern, austere countenance, and grave manners of that venerable person, rendered him unattractive. Th

rson who could protect him against the tyranny of Selbst, and he dete

ore his resolution

ng knave, he had endeavoured to make his defeat appear like a voluntary concession, still he was too fond of having his

some distance; the air, he said, would be less hot and oppressive there than in the valley. This was his

on foot many hours, and every step he took, Selbst seemed to grow heavier and heavier; however, he

st,” said he, “le

of surprise, “what should we rest for? I a

e not walked a step all day. But I, who have had

t, made an effort to ascend the precipitous bank; but he had not gone many yards before he stumbled and fell. Nor was i

, as might be expected, threw the sprite into a great rage. He abused the Prince, called him all manner

ed he, “and mount the hill directly

uld,” said the Prince, “but yo

eamed the malicious sprite, tighten

hrough the impeded circulation of the blood. He struggled, but his struggles were powerless; he endeavoured to shriek for help; but a gasping, gurgling sound was all that proceeded from his lips. In another minute he would have

nd the boy’s neck, in order to secure his hands

it continues. Longer far than could have been expected from the exhausted powers of the boy. But in his struggles lay the secret of his strength. The more he struggled, the stronger he became, and the w

ual, till, at length, after a violent exertion, he contrived to liberate both hands, and, for the third time, made the requi

consistency, as it were, of a thin vapour; and the vapour thickened and thickened till it became a dense grey cloud; and the outline of the cloud grew sharper and more defined, till the form of the

friend; he who made few promises, and kept them; or he, who after multiplied profe

more, looked up timidly at the old man, expecting to see nothing but severity depicted on his countenance. How was he surprised! Gravity, indeed, there

“how little have I deserved such a timely interference fro

200are,” replied the old man, “give me no

e boy, “and you shall judge

be pledging yourself. My terms are hard,

Prince with fervour, “if you will but free me from t

two words to that bargain. Old greybeard may command if he ple

vice at all, without your hearty cooperation. And, even then, the most I can do for you will

ee teach me how to gain

urish him. And so soon as ever you ascertain what his wishes are—be the subject what it may—make it your rule to do the reverse. Fo

been exposed to his malignant influence; an

e received assistance from me. It is only by the aid

o 202unwilling, on a former occasion, to make it known; for it has a stern, repuls

thee sooner, from what faults and errors should I have been saved! If thou hadst but taken a p

s have brought you to your senses, and I trust that you have already laid the foundations of a character in which shall be united all the best qualities of your race. But yo

ou now be my companion, and will you

” answered Discipline, and for

ten, when the Prince was most hungry and thirsty, did Discipline enjoin him to go without food or drink, or, just as he was about to partake of them, to give them to so

his hold, and quit a companion who would give him nothing to eat, and who le

journey’s end, and the palace of the Lady Abracadabra was in sight, the sprite Selbst, who had exercised such tyranny over the little boy, was no longer to be seen. For some time,—much longer than the sanguine Prince had expected,—for it was when Discipline had been for some time his companion, he continued

e, and Discipline did not think good to make him acquainted with it immediately. An

by your perseverance and resolution. But I entreat you bear this in mind, that, though invisible, he still

e more she was radiant with smiles; the flame-coloured petticoat had faded into the palest primrose, and instead of seeming haggard and wrinkled

-willed habits, and being satisfied of the pains you have taken, and are taking with yourself, I am not afraid to restore you to your family. The Court

ght me that the secret of happiness is in myself, and that I am most happy when I am showing most consideration to others. I hope, dear Lady,

herefore he is not wont to expose himself to their insults. You, however, he has adopted as one of his children, and so long as you do not forget him, he will not forget you. For myself, you may count on my protecti

had spent in Fairy-land seemed hardly as many days. But so it was; and when he came to reflect, he remembered

well-doing,)—when he arrived at his father’s court, he saw changes which soon satisfied him that a long period had elapsed since he had quitted it. King Katzekopf had become quite childish, and Queen Ninnilinda was so occupied with her la

t seemed but the other day, since he was a little naughty child, and now grave counsellors were discussing the propriety

tion too deeply to desire such a charge; but when he saw that the welfare of the nation in a great measure

tionate letter to Witikind, intreating him to forgive him his past m

his mind in contributing to the welfare of his neighbours and vassals, that he could not (especially after his past experience,) make up his mind to qu

elf best of all: so that his name was cherished in his native land long after his bones were mouldering in the grave; and it is mentioned in the Chronicles of Carivaldus of Cologne, that he whose real name was Eigenwillig, and who for some years of h

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