 Section 11 of Popular Tales from the Norse. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Brian Von Diedenroth. Popular Tales from the Norse by Sir George Webb Descent. Section 11. East owe the sun and west owe the moon. Once on a time, there was a poor husband man who had so many children that he had much of either food or clothing to give them. Pretty children they all were, but the prettiest was the youngest daughter who was so lovely, there was no end to her loveliness. So one day, it was on a Thursday evening late at the fall of the year. The weather was so wild and rough outside and it was so cruelly dark and rain fell and wind blew till the walls of the cottage shook again. There they all sat, round the fire, busy with this thing and that. But just then, all at once, something gave three taps on the window pane. Then the father went out to see what was the matter and when he got out of doors, what should he see but a great big white bear? Good evening to you, said the white bear. A shame to you, said the man. Will you give me your youngest daughter? If you will, I will make you as rich as you are now poor. Said the bear. Well, the man would not be at all sorry to be so rich, but still he thought he must have a bit of a talk with his daughter first. He went in and told them how there was a great white bear waiting outside who had given his word to make them so rich if he could only have the youngest daughter. The lassie said, no, outright. Nothing could get her to say anything else. So the man went out and settled it with the white bear that he should come again the next Thursday evening and get an answer. Meantime, he talked his daughter over and kept on telling her of all the riches they would get and how well off she would be herself. And so at last she thought better of it and washed and mended her rags, made herself as smart as she could and was ready to start. I can't say her packing gave her much trouble. Next Thursday evening came the white bear to fetch her and she got upon his back with her bundle and off they went. So when they had gone a bit of the way the white bear said, Are you afraid? No, she wasn't. Well, mind an old type by my shaggy coat and then there's nothing to fear. Said the bear. So she rode a long, long way till they came to a great steep hill. There on the face of it the white bear gave a knock and a door opened and they came into a castle where there were many rooms all lit up, rooms gleaming with silver and gold and there too was a table ready laid and it was all as grand as grand could be. Then the white bear gave her a silver bell and when she wanted anything she was only to ring it and she would get it at once. Well, after she had eaten and drunk and evening wore on she got sleepy after her journey and thought she would like to go to bed. So she rang the bell and she had scarce taken hold of it before she came into a chamber where there was a bed made as fair and white as anyone could wish to sleep in with silken pillows and curtains and gold fringe. All that was in the room was gold or silver but when she had gone to bed and put out the light a man came and laid himself alongside her. That was the white bear who threw off his bee shape at night but she never saw him for he always came after she had put out the light and before the day dawned he was up and off again. So things went on happily for a while but at last she began to get silent and sorrowful. For there she went about all day alone and she longed to go home to see her father and mother and brothers and sisters. So one day when the white bear asked what it was that she lacked she said it was so dull and lonely there and how she longed to go home to see her father and mother and brothers and sisters and that was why she was so sad and sorrowful because she couldn't get to them. Well well said the bear Perhaps there's a cure for all of this but you must promise me one thing not to talk alone with your mother but only when the rest are by to hear for she'll take you by the hand and try to lead you into a room alone to talk but you must mine and not do that else you'll bring bad luck on both of us. So one Sunday the white bear came and said now they could set off to see her father and mother well off they started she sitting on his back and they went far and long at last they came to a grand house and there her brothers and sisters were running about out of doors at play and everything was so pretty it was a joy to see This is where your father and mother live now said the white bear but don't forget what I told you else you'll make us both unlucky No bless her she'd not forget and when she had reached the house the white bear turned right about and left her then when she went in to see her father and mother there was such joy there was no end to it none of them thought they could thank her enough for all she had done for them now they had everything they wished as good as good could be and they all wanted to know how she got on where she lived well, she said it was very good to live where she did she had all she wished what she said beside I don't know but I don't think any of them had the right end of the stick or that they got much out of her so in the afternoon after they had done dinner all happened as the white bear had said her mother wanted to talk with her alone in her bedroom but she minded what the white bear had said and wouldn't go upstairs oh what we have to talk about will keep she said and put her mother off but somehow or other her mother got round her at last and she had to tell her the whole story so she said how every night when she had gone to bed a man came and lay down beside her as soon as she had put out the light and how she never saw him because he was always up and away before the morning dawned and how she went about woeful and sorrowing for she thought she should so like to see him and how all day long she walked about there alone and how dull and dreary and lonesome it was my said her mother it may well be a troll you slept with but now I'll teach you a lesson how to set eyes on him I'll give you a bit of candle which you can carry home in your bosom just like that while he is asleep but take care not to drop the teller on him yes she took the candle and hid it in her bosom and as night drew on the white bear came and fetched her away but when they had gone a bit of the way the white bear asked if all hadn't happened as he had said well she couldn't say it hadn't no mind said he if you have listened to your mother's advice you have brought bad luck on us both all that has passed between us will be as nothing no she said she hadn't listened to her mother's advice so when she reached home and had gone to bed the old story over again there came a man and lay down beside her but at dead of night when she heard he slept she got up and struck a light lit the candle and let the light shine on him and so she saw that he was the loveliest prince one ever set eyes on and she fell so deep in love with him on the spot that she thought she couldn't live but she didn't give him a kiss there and then and so she did but as she kissed him she dropped three hot drops of talo on his shirt and he woke up what have you done he cried now you have made us both unlucky for how'd you held out only this one year I had been freed for I have a stepmother who has bewitched me so that I am a white bear by day and a man by night but now our ties are snapped between us now I must set off from you to her she lives in a castle which stands east to the sun and west to the moon and there too is a princess with her nose three as long and she's the wife I must have now she wept and took it ill there was no help for it go he must then she asked if she mightn't go with him no she mightn't tell me the way then she said and I'll search you out that surely I may get leave to do yes she might do that he said but there was no way to that place it lay east to the sun and west to the moon and tither she'd never find her way so next morning when she woke up both prince and castle were gone and then she lay on a little green patch in the midst of the gloomy thick wood and by her side lay the same bundle of rag she had brought with her from her old home so when she had rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and wept till she was tired she set out on her way and walked many, many days till she came to a lofty crag under it sat an old hag and played with a gold apple which she tossed about here the lassie asked if she knew the way to the prince who lived with his stepmother in the castle that lay east to the sun and west to the moon and who was to marry the princess with a nose three ales long how did you come to know about him ask the old hag but maybe you are the lassie who ought to have had him yes she was so so it's you is it said the old hag well all I know about him is that he lives in the castle that lies east to the sun and west to the moon and fither you'll come late or never but still you may have the loan of my horse and on him I can ride to my next neighbor maybe she'll be able to tell you and when you get there just give the horse a switch under the left ear and beg him to be of home and stay this gold apple you may take with you so she got upon the horse and rode a long long time till she came to another crag under which sat another old hag with a gold carding comb here the lassie asked if she knew the way to the castle that lay east of the sun and west of the moon and she answered like the first old hag that she knew nothing about it except it was east of the sun and west of the moon and fither you'll come late or never but you shall have the loan of my horse to my next neighbor maybe she'll tell you all about it and when you get there just switch the horse under the left ear and beg him to be of home and this old hag gave her the golden carding comb it might be she'd find some use for it she said so the lassie got up on the horse and rode a far far way in a weary time and so at last she came to another great crag under which sat another old hag spinning with a golden spinning wheel her too she asked if she knew the way to the prince and where the castle was lay east of the sun and west of the moon so it was the same thing over again maybe it's you who ought to have had the prince said the old hag yes it was but she too didn't know the way a bit better than the other two east of the sun and west of the moon it was she knew that was all and thither you'll come late or never but I'll lend you my horse and then I think you'd best ride to the east wind and ask him maybe he knows those parts and can blow you thither but when you get to him you need only give the horse a switch under the left ear and he'll trot home of himself and so too she gave her the gold spinning wheel maybe you'll find a use for it said the old hag then on she rode many many days a weary time before she got to the east wind's house but at last she did reach it and she asked the east wind if he could tell her the way to the prince who dwelt east of the sun and west of the moon yes the east wind had often heard tell of it the prince and the castle but he couldn't tell the way for he had never blown so far but if you will I'll go with you to my brother the west wind maybe he knows or he's much stronger so if you will just get on my back I'll carry you thither yes she got on his back and I should just think they went briskly along so when they got there they went into the west wind's house and the east wind said the lassie he had brought was the one who ought to have had the prince who lived in the castle east of the sun and west of the moon so she had set out to seek him and how he had come with her and would be glad to know if the west wind knew how to get to the castle nay said the west wind so far I've never blown but if you will I'll go with you to our brother the south wind for he's much stronger than either of us and he's flapped his wings far and wide maybe he'll tell you you can get on my back and I'll carry you to him she got on his back and so they traveled to the south wind and weren't so very long on the way I should think when they got there the west wind asked him if he could tell her the way to the castle that lay east of the sun and west of the moon for it was she who ought to have had the prince who lived there you don't say that she is it said the south wind well I have busted about in most places in my time but so far have I never blown but if you will I'll take you to my brother the north wind he's the oldest and strongest of the whole lot of us and if he don't know where it is you'll never find anyone in the world to tell you you can get on my back and I'll carry you thither yes she got on his back and away he went from his house at a fine rate and this time too she wasn't long on her way so when they got to the north wind's house he was so wild and cross cold puffs came from him a long way off blast you both what do you want he roared out to them ever so far off so that it struck them with an icy shiver well you needn't be so foul mouth for here I am your brother the south wind and here is the lassie who ought to have had the prince who dwells in the castle that lies east of the sun and west of the moon and now she wants to ask you if you ever were there and can tell her the way for she would be so glad to find him again yes I know well enough where it is said the north wind once in my life I blew an aspen leaf thither but I was so tired I couldn't blow a puff forever so many days after but if you really wish to go thither and aren't afraid to come along with me I'll take you on my back and see if I can blow you thither yes with all her heart she must and would get thither if it were possible in any way and as for fear sadly he went she wouldn't be at all afraid very well then said the north wind but you must sleep here tonight for we must have the whole day before us if we're to get thither at all early next morning the north wind woke her and puffed himself up and blew himself out and made himself so stout and big it was gruesome to look at him and so off they went through the air as if they would never stop till they got to the world's end down here below there was such a storm it threw down long tracks of wood in many houses and when it swept over the great sea ships foundered by hundreds so they tore on and on no one can believe how far they went and all the while they still went over the sea and the north wind got more and more weary and so out of breath he could scarce bring out a puff and his wings drooped and drooped till at last he sunk so low that the crusts of the waves dashed over his heels are you afraid? said the north wind no she wasn't but they weren't very far from land and the north wind had still so much strength left in him that he managed to throw her up on the shore under the windows of the castle which lay east of the sun and west of the moon but then he was so weak and worn out he had to stay there and rest many days before he could get home again next morning the lassi sat down under the castle window and began to play with the gold apple and the first person she saw was the long nose who was to have the prince what do you want for your gold apple you lassi said the long nose and threw up the window it's not for sale for gold or money said the lassi if it's not for sale for gold or money what is it that you will sell it for you may name your own prize said the princess well if I may get to the prince later and be with him tonight you shall have it said the lassi whom the north wind had brought yes she might that could be done so the princess got the gold apple but when the lassi came up to the princess bedroom at night he was fast asleep she called him and shook him and between while she wept sore but all she could do next morning as soon as day broke came the princess with the long nose and drove her out again so in the daytime she sat down under the castle windows and began to card with her carting comb and the same thing happened the princess asked what she wanted for it and she said it wasn't for sale for gold or money but if she might get leave to go up to the prince and be with him that night the princess should have it but when she went up she found him fast asleep again and all she called and all she shook and wept and prayed she couldn't get life into him and as soon as the first gray peep of day came then came the princess with the long nose and chased her out again so in the daytime the lassi sat down outside under the castle window and began to spin with her golden spinning wheel and that too the princess with the long nose wanted to have so she threw up the window and asked what she wanted for it the lassi said as she had said twice before it wasn't for sale for gold or money but if she might go up to the prince who was there and be with him alone that night she might have it she might do that and welcome but now you must know there were some Christian folk who had been carried off thither and as they sat in their room which was next to the prince they had heard how a woman had been in there and wept and prayed and called to him two nights running and they told that to the prince that evening when the princess came with her sleepy drink the prince made as if he drank but threw it over his shoulder for he could guess it was a sleepy drink so when the lassi came in she found the prince wide awake and then she told him the whole story how she had come thither ah said the prince you've just come in the very nick of time for tomorrow is to be our wedding day but now I won't have the long nose and you are the only woman in the world who can set me free I'll say I want to see what my wife is fit for and beg her to wash the shirt which has the three spots of tallow on it she'll say yes for she doesn't know it is you who put them there but that's a work only for Christian folk and not for such a pack of trolls and so I'll say that I won't have any other for my bride and the woman who can wash them out and ask you to do it there was a great joy and love between them all that night but next day when the wedding was to be the prince said first of all I'd like to see what my bride is fit for yes said the stepmother with all her heart well I've got a fine shirt which I'd like for my wedding shirt but somehow or other it has got three spots of tallow on it which I must have washed out and I have swore never to take any other bride than the woman who's able to do that if she can't she's not worth having well that was no great thing they said so they agreed and she with the long nose began to wash as hard as she could but the more she rubbed and scrubbed the bigger the spots grew said the old hag her mother you can't wash let me dry but she hadn't long taken the shirt in hand before it got far worse than ever and with all her rubbing and wringing and scrubbing the spots grew bigger and blacker and the darker and uglier was the shirt then all the other trolls began to wash but the longer it lasted the blacker and uglier the shirt grew till at last it was as black all over as if it had been up the chimney ah said the prince you're none of you with a straw you can't wash why there outside sits a beggar lassie I'll be bound she knows how to wash better than the whole lot of you come in lassie he shouted well in she came can you wash this shirt clean lassie you said he said but I think I can and almost before she had taken it and dipped it in the water it was as white as driven snow and whiter still yes you are the lassie for me said the prince and that the old hag flew into such a rage she burst on the spot and the princess with the long nose after her and the whole pack of trolls after her at least I've never heard a word about them since as for the prince and princess they set free all the poor christian folk who had been carried off and shut up there and they took with them all the silver and gold and flitted away as far as they could from the castle that lay east of the sun and west of the moon end of section 11 recording by Brian Roth section 12 of popular tales from the Norse this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by David Fetterman popular tales from the Norse by Sir George Webb Descent section 12 boots who ate a match with the troll once upon a time there was a farmer who had three sons his means were small and he was old and weak and his sons would take to nothing a fine large would belong to the farm and one day the father told his sons to go and hue wood and try to pay off some of his debts well after a long talk he got them to set off and the eldest was to go first but when he had got well into the wood and began to hue at a mossy old fur what should he see coming up to him but a great sturdy troll if you hue in this wood of mine said the troll I'll kill you when the lad heard that he threw the axe down and ran off home as fast as he could lay legs to the ground he laid out of breath and told them what had happened but his father called him hair heart no troll would ever have scared him from hueing when he was young he said next day the second son's turn came and he fared just the same he had scarce hewn three strokes at the fur before the troll came to him too and said if you hue in this wood of mine I'll kill you the lad dared not so much as to look at him but threw down the axe took to his heels and came scampering home just like his brother so when he got home his father was angry again and said no troll had ever scared him when he was young the third day boots wanted to set off you indeed said the two elder brothers he'll do it bravely no doubt you who have scarce ever set your foot out the door boots said nothing to this he kindly begged them to give him a good store of food his mother had no cheese so she set the pot on the fire to make him a little and he put into it a script and set off so when he had hewn a bit the troll came to him too and said if you hue in this wood of mine I'll kill you but the lad was not slow he pulled his cheese out of the script in a trice and squeezed it until the way spurred it out hold your tongue he cried to the troll who use you as I squeeze the water out of this white stone nay dear friend said the troll only swear me and I'll help you to hue well on those terms the lad was willing to spare him and the troll hewed so bravely that they felled and cut up many many fathoms in the day but when evening drew near the troll said now you'd better come home with me for my house is nearer than yours so the lad was willing enough and when they reached the troll's house the troll was to make up the fire while the lad went to fetch water for their porridge and there stood two iron pails so big and heavy that he couldn't so much as lift them from the ground poo said the lad it isn't worthwhile to touch these fine basins I'll just go fetch the spring itself nay nay dear friend said the troll I can't afford to lose my spring just you make up the fire and I'll go fetch the water so when he came back with the water they set to and boiled up a great pot of porridge it's all the same to me said the lad but a fur of my mind will eat a match with all my heart said the troll for he thought he could surely hold his own in eating so they sat down but the lad took his script unawares to the troll and hung it before him and so he spooned more into the script than he ate himself and when the script was full he took up his knife and made a slit in the script the troll looked on all the while but never said a word so when they had eaten a good bit longer the troll laid down his spoon saying nay but I can't eat a morsel more but you shall eat said the youth I'm only half done why don't you do as I did and cut a hole in your punch you'll be able to eat then as much as you please doesn't it hurt one cruelly asked the troll oh said the youth nothing to speak of so the troll did as the lad said and then you must know very well that he lost his life but the lad took all the silver and gold he found in the hillside and went home with it and he may fancy that it went a great way to pay off the debt end of section 12 recording by David Federman section 13 of popular tales from the Norse this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org popular tales from the Norse by Sir George Webb Dassen section 13 Heikon Grizzlebeard once on a time there was a princess who was so proud and perked that no suitor was good enough for her she made game of them all and sent them about their business one after the other but though she was so proud all new suitors kept coming to the palace where she was a beauty the wicked hussy so one day there came a prince to woo her and his name was Heikon Grizzlebeard but the first night he was there the princess bade the king's fool to cut off the ears of one of the prince's horses and slit the jaws of the other up to the ears when the prince went out to drive the next day the princess stood in the porch and looked at him well she cried I never saw the like of this in all my life the keen north wind that blows here has taken the ears off one of your horses and the other has stood by and gaped at what was going on till his jaws have split right up to his ears and with that she burst out into a roar of laughter ran in slammed to the door and let him drive off so he drove home but as he went he thought to himself that he would pay her off one day after a bit he put on a great beard of moss he threw a great fur cloak over his clothes and dressed himself up just like any beggar he went to a goldsmith and bought a golden spinning wheel and sat down with it under the princess's window and began to file away at his spinning wheel and turn it this way and that for it wasn't quite in order and besides it wanted a stand so when the princess rose up in the morning she came to the window and threw it up and called out to the beggar if he would sell his golden spinning wheel no it isn't for sale said Hacon Grizzlebeard but if I may have leave to sleep outside your bedroom door tonight I'll give it to you well the princess thought it a good bargain there could be no danger in letting him sleep outside her door so she got the wheel and at night Hacon Grizzlebeard laid down outside her bedroom but as the night wore on he began to freeze it is so cold pray do let me in he cried you've lost your wits out right I think said the princess it is so bitter cold pray do let me in said Hacon Grizzlebeard again hush hush hold your tongue said the princess if my father were to know that there was a man in the house I should be in a fine scrape oh I am almost frozen to death only let me come inside and lie on the floor Hacon Grizzlebeard yes there was no help for it she had to let him in and when he was he lay on the ground and slept like a top sometime after Hacon came again with the stand to the spinning wheel and sat down under the princess's window and began to file at it for it was not quite fit for use when she heard him filing she threw up the window and began to talk to him and ask him what he had there oh only the stand to that spinning wheel but for I thought as you had the wheel you might like to have the stand too what do you want for it asked the princess but it was not for sale anymore than the wheel but she might have them if she would give him leave to sleep on the floor of her bedroom the next night well she gave him leave only he was to be sure to lie still and not to shiver and call out or any such stuff Hacon Grizzlebeard promised fair enough as the night wore on he began to shiver and shake and asked whether he might not come nearer and lie on the floor alongside the princess's bed there was no help for it she had to give him leave lest the king should hear the noise he made so Hacon Grizzlebeard lay alongside the princess's bed and slept like a top it was a long while before Hacon Grizzlebeard came again but when he came he had with him a golden wool winder and he sat down and began to file the bed under the princess's window then came the old story over again when the princess heard what was going on she came to the window and asked him how he did and whether he would sell the golden wool winder it is not to be had for money but if you'll give me leave to sleep tonight in your bedroom with my head on your bedstead you shall have it for nothing said Hacon Grizzlebeard well she would give him leave if only he gave his word to be quiet and make no noise so he said he would do his best to be still but as the night wore on he began to shiver and shake so that his teeth chattered again it is so bitter cold oh do let me get into bed and warm myself a little said Hacon Grizzlebeard get into bed said the princess why you must have lost your wits said Hacon do let me get into bed Hush Hush be still for God's sake said the princess if father knows there is a man in here I shall be in a sad plight I am sure he'll kill me on the spot let me get into bed said Hacon Grizzlebeard who kept on shivering so that the whole room shook well there was no help for it she had to let him get into bed where he slept both sound and soft but a little well after the princess had a child at which the king grew so wild with rage that he was near making an end of both mother and babe just after this happened came Hacon Grizzlebeard tramping that way once more as if by chance and took his seat down in the kitchen like any other beggar so when the princess came out and saw him she cried ah God have mercy on me for the ill luck you have brought me father is ready to burst with rage do let me follow you to your home oh I'll be bound you're too well bred to follow me said Hacon for I have nothing but a log to live in and how I shall ever get food for you I can't tell for it's just as much as I can do to get food for myself oh yes it's all the same to me how you get it or whether you get it at all only let me be with you for if I stay here any longer my father will be sure to take my life so she got leave to be with the beggar and they walked a long long way though she was a poor hand at tramping when she passed out of her father's land into another she asked who it was oh this is Hacon Grizzlebeard if you must know said he indeed said the princess I might have married him if I chose and then I should not have had to walk about like a beggar's wife so whenever they came to grand castles and woods and parks and she asked Tuesday were the beggar's answer was still the same oh they are Hacon Grizzlebeards and the princess was in a sad way that she had not chosen the man who had such broad land last of all they came to a palace where he said he was known and where he thought he could get her work so that they might have something to live on so he built up a cabin by the wood side for them to dwell in and every day he went to the king's palace as he said he would and draw water for the cook and when he came back he brought a few scraps of meat but they did not go very far one day when he came home from the palace he said tomorrow I will stay at home and look after the baby but you must get ready to go to the palace do you hear the prince said you were to come and try your hand at baking I bake said the princess I can't bake for I never did such a thing in my life well you must go said Haken since the princess said it if you can't bake you can learn you have only got to look at how the rest bake and mind when you leave you must steal me some bread I can't steal said the princess you can learn that too said Haken you know we live on short commons but take care that the prince doesn't see you for he has eyes at the back of his head so when she was well on her way Haken ran by a shortcut and reached the palace long before her and threw off his rags and beard and put on his princely robes the princess took her turn in the bake house and did as Haken bait her where she stole bread till her pockets were crammed full so when she was about to go home at even the prince said we don't know much of this old wife of Haken grizzle beards I think we'd best see if she has taken anything away with her so he thrust his hand into her pockets and he felt her all over and when he found the bread he was in a great rage and led them all a sad life she began to weep and bewail and said the beggar made me do it and I couldn't help it well said the prince at last it's ought to have gone hard with you but all the same for the sake of the beggar you shall be forgiven this once when she was well on her way he threw off his robes, put on his skin cloak and his false beard and reached a cabin before her when she came home he was busy nursing the baby well you have made me do what it went to gave my heart to do this is the first time I ever stole and this shall be the last and with that she told him how it had gone with her and what the prince had said a few days after Haken grizzle beard came home at even time tomorrow I must stay at home and mind the babe for they are going to kill a pig at the palace and you must help make the sausages I make sausages said the princess I can't do any such thing I have eaten sausages often enough but as to making them I never made one in my life well there was no help for it the prince had said it and go she must as for not knowing how she was only to do what the others did and at the same time Haken bait her steal some sausages for him hey but I can't steal them she said you know how it went last time well you can learn to steal who knows but you may have better luck next time said Haken grizzle beard when she was well on her way Haken ran by a shortcut and reached the palace long before her cloak and his false beard and stood in the kitchen with his royal robes before she came in so the princess stood by when the pig was killed and made sausages with the rest and did as Haken bait her and stuffed her pockets full of sausages but when she was about to go home at even the prince said this beggar's wife was long fingered last time we may as well just see if she hasn't carried anything off so he began to thrust his hands into her pockets and when he found the sausages he was in a great rage again and made a great to-do threatening to send for the constable to put her into the cage oh god bless your royal highness do let me off the beggar made me do it she said and wept bitterly well said Haken you ought to smart for it but for the beggar's sake you shall be forgiven when she was gone his clothes again ran by the shortcut and when she reached the cabin there he was before her then she told him the whole story and swore through thick and thin it should be the last time he got her to do such a thing now it fell out a little time after when the man came back from the palace he said our prince is going to be married but the bride is sick so the tailor can't measure her for her wedding gown and the prince's will is go up to the palace and be measured instead of the bride for he says you are just the same height and shape but after you have been measured mind you don't go away you can stand about you know and when the tailor cuts out the gown you can snap up the largest pieces and bring them home for a waistcoat for me nay but I can't steal she said besides you know how it went last time and learn then said hey con and you may have better luck perhaps she thought it bad but still she went and did as she was told she stood by while the tailor was cutting out the gown and she swept down all the biggest scraps and stuffed them into her pockets and when she was going away the prince said we may as well see if this old girl has not been long fingered this time too so he began to feel and search her pockets and when he found the pieces he was in a raid and began to stamp in gold at a great rate while she wept and said ah please forgive me the beggar made me do it and I couldn't help it well you ought to smart for it said hey con but for the beggar's sake it shall be forgiven you so it went now just as it had gone before and when she got back to the cabin the beggar was there before her oh heaven help me she said you will be the death of me at last by making me nothing but what is wicked the prince was in such a towering rage that he threatened me with both the constable and the cage some time after hey con came home to the cabin at even and said now the prince's will is that you should go up to the palace and stand for the bride at last for the bride is still sick and keeps her bed but he won't put off the wedding and he says you are so like her that no one can tell one from the other so tomorrow you must get ready to go to the palace I think you've lost your wits both the prince and you said she do you think I look fit to stand in the bride's place look at me can any beggar's troll look worse than I well the prince said go and so go you must said hey con grizzle beard there was no help for it go she must and when she reached the palace they dressed her out so finely that no princess ever looked so smart the bridal train went to church where she stood for the bride and when they came back there was dancing and merriment in the palace but just as she was in the midst of dancing with the prince she saw a gleam of light through the window and low the cabin by the woodside was all one bright flame oh the beggar and the babe and the cabin she screamed out and was just going to swoon away here is the beggar and there is the babe and so let the cabin burn away said hey con grizzle beard then she knew him again and after that the mirth and merriment began in right earnest but since that I have never heard tell anything more about them end of section 13 section 14 of popular tales from the Norse this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org read by Carol Struppling popular tales from the Norse by Sir George Webb section 14 boots who may the princess say that's a story once on a time there was a king who had a daughter and she was such a dreadful storyteller that the like of her was not to be found far or near so the king gave out that if anyone could tell such a string of lies as would get her to say that's a story he should have her to wife and half the kingdom besides well many came as you may fancy to try their luck for everyone would have been very glad to have the princess to say nothing of the kingdom but they all cut a sorry figure for the princess was so given to storytelling that all their lies went in at one ear and out of the other among the rest came three brothers to try their luck and the two elder went first and referred no better than those who had gone before them last of all the third boots set off and found the princess in the farmyard good morning he said and thank you for nothing good morning said she and the same to you then she went on you haven't such a fine farmyard as ours all be bound for when two shepherds stand one at each end of it and blow their ram's horns the one can't hear the other haven't we though answered boots ours is far bigger for when a cow begins to go with calf at one end of it she doesn't get to the other end before the time to drop her calf is come I dare say said the princess well but you haven't such a big ox after all as ours yonder for when two men sit one on each horn they can't touch each other with a twenty foot rule stuff said boots is that all why we have an ox who is so big that when two men sit one on each horn and each blows his great mountain trumpet they can't hear one another I dare say said the princess but you haven't so much milk as we all be bound for we milk our kind into great pails and carry them indoors and empty them into great tubs and so we make great great cheeses oh you do do you said boots well we milk ours into great tubs and then we put them in carts and drive them indoors and then we turn them out into great brewing bats and so we make cheeses as big as a great house we had to a done mare to tread the cheese well together when it was making but once she tumbled down into the cheese and we lost her and after we had eaten at this cheese seven years we came upon a great done mare alive and kicking well once after that I was going to drive this mare to the mill and her back bone snapped into but I wasn't put out not I for I took a spruce sapling and put it into her for a back bone and she had no other backbone all the while we had her but the sapling grew up into such a tall tree that I climbed right up to heaven by it and when I got there I saw the virgin mare sitting and spinning the foam of the sea into pigs bristle ropes but just then the spruce fur broke short off and I couldn't get in so the virgin mare let me down by one of the ropes and down I slipped straight into a fox's hole and who should sit there but my mother and your father cobbling shoes and just as I stepped in my mother gave your father such a box on the ear that it made his whiskers curl that's a story said the princess my father never did any such thing in all his born days so boots got the princess to wife and half the kingdom besides end of section 14 section 15 of popular tales from the Norse this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org read by Lenny popular tales from the Norse by Sir George Webb Dason section 15 the 12 Wild Ducks once in a time there was a queen who was out driving when there had been a new fall of snow in the winter but when she had gone a little way she began to bleed at the nose and had to get out of her sledge and so as she stood there leaning against the fence and saw the red blood on the white snow she felt of thinking how she had 12 sons and no daughter and she said to herself if I only had a daughter as white as snow and as red as blood I shouldn't care what became of all my sons but the words were scarce out of her mouth but for an old witch of the trolls came up to her a daughter you shall have she said and she shall be as white as snow and as red as blood and your sons shall be mine but you may keep them till the babe is christened so when the time came the queen had a daughter and she was as white as snow and as red as blood just as the troll had promised and so they called her Snow White and Rosie Red well there was great joy at the king's court and the queen was as glad as glad could be but when what she had promised to the old witch came into her mine she sent for a silversmith and made him make 12 silver spoons one for each prince and after that she made him make one more and that she gave to Snow White and Rosie Red but as soon as ever the princess was christened the princess returned into 12 wild ducks and flew away they never saw them again away they went and stayed so the princess grew up and she was both tall and fair but she was often so strange and sorrowful and no one could understand what it was that failed her but one evening the queen was also sorrowful for she had many strange thoughts when she thought of her sons she said to Snow White and Rosie Red why are you so sorrowful my daughter is there anything you want if so only say the word and you shall have it oh it seems so dull and lonely here said Snow White and Rosie Red everyone else has brothers and sisters but I am all alone I have none and that's why I am so sorrowful but you had brothers my daughter said the queen I had 12 sons who were your brothers but I gave them all away to get you and so she told her the whole story so when the princess heard that she had no rest for in spite of all the queen could say or do and all she wept and prayed the lessee would set off to seek her brothers for she thought it was all her fault and at last she got leave to go away from the palace on and on she walked into the wild world so far it would never have thought a young lady could have strength to walk so far so once when she was walking through a great great wood one day she fell tired and sat down on a mossy tuft and fell asleep then she dreamt that she went deeper and deeper into the wood till she came to a little wooden hut and there she found her brothers just then she woke and straight before her she saw a worn path in the green moss and this path went deeper into the wood so she followed it and after a long time she came to just such a little wooden house as that she had seen in her dream now when she went into the room there was no one at home but there stood 12 beds and 12 chairs and 12 spoons a dozen of everything in short so when she saw that she was so glad she hadn't been so glad for many a long year once that her brothers lived here and that they owned the beds and chairs and spoons so she began to make up the fire and sweep the room and make the beds and cook the dinner and to make the house as tidy as she could and when she had done all the cooking and work she ate her own dinner and crept under her youngest brother's bed and laid down there but she forgot her spoon upon the table so she had scarcely laid herself down before she heard something flapping and worrying in the air and so all the 12 wild ducks came sweeping in but as soon as ever they crossed the threshold they became princes oh how nice and warm it is in here they said heaven bless him who made up the fire and cooked such a good dinner for us each took up his silver spoon and was going to eat but when each had taken his own one still left lying on the table and it was so like the rest that they couldn't tell it from them this is our sister's spoon they said and if her spoon be here she can't be very far off herself if this be our sister's spoon and she be here said the eldest she shall be killed for she is to blame for all the ill with sufferer and this she lay under the bed and listen too said the youngest to her shame to kill her for that she has nothing to do with our suffering ill for if anyone's to blame it's our own mother so they set to work hunting for her both high and low and at last they looked under all the beds and so when they came to the youngest princess bed they found her and dragged her out then the eldest prince wished again to have her killed but she begged and prayed so prettily for herself oh gracious goodness don't kill me for I've gone about seeking you these three years and if I could only set you free I'd willingly lose my life well said they if you will set us free you may keep your life for you can if you choose yes only tell me said the princess how it can be done and I'll do it whatever it be you must pick thistle down said the princess and you must cart it and spin it and after you have done that you must cut out and make 12 coats and 12 shirts and 12 neckerchiefs one for each one of us and while you do that you must neither talk nor laugh nor weep if you can do that we are free but where shall I ever get thistle down enough for so many neckerchiefs and shirts and coats asked Snow White and Rosie Red we'll soon show you said the princess and so they took her with them to a great wide moor where there stood such a crop of thistles all nodding and nodding in the breeze and the down all floating and glistening like customers through the air in the sunbeams the princess had never seen such a quantity of thistle down in her life and she began to pluck and gather it as fast and as well as she could and when she got home at nine she set to work carting and spinning yarn from the down but she went on a long long time picking and carting and spinning and all the while keeping the princess's house cooking and making their beds at evening home they came flapping and wearing like wild ducks and all night they were princess but in the morning off they flew again and were wild ducks the whole day but now it happened once when she was out on the moor to pick thistle down and if I don't mistake it was the very last time she was to go with it it happened that the young king who ruled that land was out hunting and came riding across the moor and saw her so he stopped there and wondered who the lovely lady could be that walked along the moor picking thistle down and he asked her her name and when he could get no answer he was still more astonished and at last he liked her so much that nothing would do but he must take her home to his castle and marry her and take her and put her up on his horse Snow White and Rosie Red she rung her hands and made signs to them and pointed to the bags in which her work was and when the king saw she wished to have them with her he told his men to take up the bags behind them when they had done that the princess came to herself little by little for the king was both a wise man and a handsome man too and he was as soft and kind to her as a doctor but when they got home to the palace the old queen who was his stepmother set eyes on Snow White and Rosie Red she got so cross and jealous of her because she was so lovely that she said to the king can't you see now that this thing whom you've picked up and whom you are going to marry is a witch why? she can't either talk or laugh or weep but the king didn't care a pin for what she said but held on with the wedding and married Snow White and Rosie Red and they lived in great joy and glory but she didn't forget to go on sewing at her shirts so when the year was almost out Snow White and Rosie Red brought the prince into the world and then the old queen was more spiteful and jealous than ever and at that of night she stole into Snow White and Rosie Red while she slept and took away her babe and threw it into a pit full of snakes after that she cut Snow White and Rosie Red in the finger and smeared the blood over her mouth to the king now come and see she said what sort of thing you have taken for your queen here she has eaten up her own babe then the king was so downcast he almost burst into tears and said yes it must be true since I see it with my own eyes but she'll not do it again I'm sure and so this time I'll spare her life so before the next year was out she had another son and the same thing happened the king's stepmother got more and more jealous and spiteful she stole into the young queen at night while she slept took away the babe and threw it into a pit full of snakes cut the young queen's finger and smeared the blood over her mouth and then went until the king she had eaten up her own child then the king was so sorrowful you can think how sorry he was and he said yes it must be true since I see it with my own eyes but she'll not do it again I'm sure and so this time too I'll spare her life well before the next year was out Snow White and Rosy Red brought a daughter into the world and her too the old queen took and threw into the pit full of snakes while the young queen slept then she cut her finger smeared the blood over her mouth and went again to the king and said now you may come and see if it isn't as I say she's a wicked witch here she has gone and eaten up her third babe too then the king was so sad there was no end to it for now he couldn't spare her any longer but had to order her to be burned alive on the pile of wood but just when the pile was all ablaze and they were going to put her on it she made signs to them to take 12 boards and lay them round the pile and on these she laid the neckerchiefs and the shirts and the coats for her brothers but the youngest brother's shirt wanted its left arm for she hadn't had time to finish it and as soon as ever she had done that they heard such a flapping and worrying in the air and down came 12 wild ducks flying over the forest and each of them snapped up his clothes in his bill and flew off with them see now said the old queen to the king wasn't I right when I told you she was a witch but make haste and burn her before the pile burned slow oh said the king we have wood enough and to spare and so wait a bit for I have a mind to see what the end of all this will be as he spoke up came the 12 princes riding along as handsome well-grown lads I did wish to see but the youngest prince had a wild duck's wing instead of his left arm what's all this about asked the princess my queen is to be burned said the king because she's a witch and because she has eaten up her own babes she hasn't eaten them at all said the princess speak now sister you have set us free and saved us now save yourself then snow white and rosy red spoke and told the whole story how every time she was brought to bed the old queen the king's step mother had stolen into her at night had taken away her babes away and cut her little finger and smeared the blood over her mouth and then the princess took the king and shoot him the snake pit where three babies lay playing with adders and toads and lovelier children you never saw so the king had them taken out at once and went to his step mother and asked her what punishment she thought that woman deserved who could fight it in her heart to betray a guiltless queen and three such blessed little babes she deserves to be fast bound between twelve unbroken steeds so that each may take his share of her said the old queen you have spoken your own dune said the king and you shall suffer it at once so the wicked old queen was fast bound between twelve unbroken steeds and each got his share of her but the king took snow white and rosy red and their three children and the twelve princess and so they all went home to their father and mother and told all that had befallen them and there was joy and gladness over the whole kingdom because the princess was saved and set free and had set free her twelve brothers end of section 15 once upon a time there was a king who had seven sons and he loved them so much that he could not bear to be without them all at once but one must always be with him now when they were grown up six were to set off to woo but as for the youngest his father kept him at home and the others were to bring back a princess for him to the palace so the king gave the six closely over set eyes on so fine that the light gleamed from them a long way off and each had a source which cost many many hundred dollars and so they set off now when they had come to many palaces and seen many princesses at last they came to a king who had six daughters such lovely king's daughters they had never seen and so they felt of going them each one and when they had got them for sweethearts they set off home again but they quite forgot that they were to bring back with them a sweetheart for boots their brother who stayed at home for they were head over heels in love with their own sweethearts but when they had gone a good bit on their way they passed close by a steep hillside like a wall where the giant's house was and there the giant came out and set his eyes upon them and turned them all into stone princes and princesses and all now the king waited and waited for six sons but the more he waited the longer they stayed away so he fell into great trouble and said he should never know what it was like to be glad again and if I had not you left he said to boots I would live no longer so full of sorrow am I for the loss of your brothers well but now I've been thinking to ask your leave to set out and find them again that's what I'm thinking of said boots nay nay said his father that leave you shall never get for then you would stay away too the boots had set his heart upon it go he would and he begged and prayed so long the king was forced to let him go now you must know the king had no other horse to give boots but an old broken down jade for six other sons in their train he would not fall his horses but boots did not care a pin for that he sprang up on a sorry old steed farewell father said he I'll come back never fear and like enough I shall bring my six brothers back with me and with that he rode off so when he had ridden a while he came to Raven which lay in the road and flapped its wings was not able to get out of the way so starved oh dear friend give me a little food and I'll help you again at your utmost need I haven't much food said the prince and I don't see how you'll ever be able to help me much but still I can spare you a little I see you want it so he gave the raven some of the food he had brought with him now when he had gone a bit farther he came to a brook and in that brook lay a great salmon which had got upon a dry place and dashed itself about and could not get into the water again oh dear friend said the salmon to the prince shoved me out into the water again and I'll help you again at your utmost need well said the prince the help you'll give me will not be great I dare say but it's a pity you should lie there and choke and with that he shot the fish out into the stream again after that he went a long long way and there he met a wolf which was so famished that it lay and crawled along the road on its belly dear friend to let me have your horse said the wolf I'm so hungry the wind whistles through my ribs I've had nothing to eat these two years no said boot this will never do next I came to a raven and I was forced to give him my food next I came to a salmon and him I had to help into the water again and now you will have my horse it can't be done that it can't for then I shall have nothing to ride on nay dear friend but you can help me said gray lakes the wolf you can ride upon my back and I'll help you again at your utmost need well the help I shall get from you will not be great I'll be bound said the prince but you may take my horse since you are in such need so when the wolf had eaten the horse boots took the bit and put it into the wolf's straw and laid the saddle on his back and now the wolf was so strong after what he had gone inside that he set off with the prince like nothing so fast he had never ridden before when we have gone a bit farther said gray lakes I'll show you the giant's house so after a while they came to it see here is the giant's house said the wolf and see here are your six brothers whom the giant has turned into stone and see here are their six brides and away yonder is the door and in that door you must go nay but I dare not go in said the prince you'll take my life no no said the wolf when you get in you'll find a princess and she'll tell you what to do to make an end of the giant only mind and do as she bids you well boots went in the truth to say he was very much afraid when he came in the giant was away but in one of the rooms sat the princess just as the wolf had said and so lovely princess boots had never yet set eyes on oh heaven help you whence have you come said the princess as she saw him it will surely be your death no one can make an end of the giant who lives here for he has no heart in his body well well said boots but now I am here I may as well try what I can to do with him and I will see if I can't free my brothers who are standing turned to stone out of doors and you too I will try to save that I will well if you must you must said the princess and so let us see if we can't hit on a plan just creep under the bed yonder and mind and listen to what he and I talk about but pray do lie as still as a mouse so he crept under the bed and he had scarce got well underneath it before the giant came ha roared the giant what a smell of Christian blood there is in the house yes I know there is said the princess further came a magpie flying with a man's bone and let it fall down the chimney I made all haste I could to get it out but all one can do the smell doesn't go off so soon so the giant said no more about it and when night came they went to bed after they had lain a while the princess said there is one thing I'd be so glad to ask you if I only dared what thing is that asked the giant only where is it you keep your heart since you don't carry it about you said the princess ah that's the thing you've no business to ask about but if you must know it lies under the door sill said the giant ho ho said boots to himself under the bed then we'll soon see if we can't find it next morning the giant got up cruelly early and strode off to the woods but he was hardly out of the house before boots and the princess set to work to look under the door sill for his heart but the more they dug and the more they hunted the more they couldn't find it he has balked us this time said the princess but we'll try him once more so she picked all the pretty flowers and strode them over the door sill which they had laid in its right place again and when the time came for the giant to come home again boots crept under the bed just as he was well under back came the giant stuff stuff when the giant snows my eyes and limbs what a smell of Christian blood there isn't here said he I know there is said the princess and let it fall down the chimney I made as much haste as I could to get it out but I daresay it's that you smell so the giant held his piece and said no more about it a little while after he asked who it was that it shrewd flowers over the door sill oh I of course said the princess and pray what's the meaning of all this said the giant ah! said the princess I'm so fond of you that I couldn't help stirring them when I knew that your heart lay under there you don't say said the giant but after all it doesn't lie there at all so when they went to bed again in the evening the princess asked the giant again where his heart was for she said she would so like to know well said the giant if you must know the princess so soon thought boots and the princess then we'll soon try to find it next morning the giant was away early and strewed off to the woods and so soon as he was gone boots and the princess were in the cupboard hunting for his heart but the more they sought for it the less they found it well said the princess we'll just try him once more so she decked out the cupboard with flowers and garlands and when the time came for the giant to come home boots crept under the bed again then back came the giant snuff snuff my eyes and limbs what a smell of Christian blood there is in here I know there is said the princess for a little while since there came a magpie flying with a man's bone in his bill and let it fall down the chimney made all haste I could to get it out of the house again but after all my pains I daresay it's that you smell when the giant heard this he said no more about it but a little while after he saw how the cupboard was all decked about with flowers and garlands so he asked who it was that had done that who could it be but the princess and pray what's the meaning of all this tomfoolery asked the giant why I'm so fond of you I couldn't help doing it when I knew that your heart lay there said the princess how can you be so silly is to believe such a thing said the giant oh yes how can I help believing it when you say it said the princess your goose said the giant where my heart is you will never come well said the princess but for all that it was such a pleasure to know where it really lies then the poor giant could hold out no longer but was forced to say far far away in a lake lies an island and on that island stands a church in that church is a well in that well swims a duck in that duck there is an egg and in that egg there lies my heart you darling in the morning early while it was still grey dawn the giant strode off to the woods now I must set off too said boots if I only knew how to find the way he took a long long farewell the princess and when he got out of the giant store there stood the wolf waiting for him so boots told him all that it happened inside the house and said now he wished to ride to the well in the church if he only knew the way so the wolf bad him jump on his back he'd soon find the way in a way they went till the wind whistled after them over hedge and field over hill and dale after they traveled many many days they came at last to the lake then the prince did not know how to get over it but the wolf bad him only not be afraid but stick on and so he jumped into the lake with the prince on his back and swam over to the island so they came to the church the church keys hung high high up on the top of the tower and at first the prince did not know how to get them down you must call on the raven said the wolf so the prince called on the raven and in a trice the raven came and flew up and touched the keys and so the prince got into the church but when he came to the well there lay the dock and swam about backwards and forwards just as the giant had said so the prince stood and coaxed it and coaxed it till it came to him and he grasped it in his hand but just as he lifted it up from the water the duck dropped the egg into the well and then boots was beside himself to know how to get it out again well now you must call on the salmon to be sure said the wolf and the king's son called on the salmon and the salmon came and fetched up the egg from the bottom of the well then the wolf told him to squeeze the egg and as soon as ever he squeezed it the giant screamed out squeeze it again said the wolf and when the prince did so the giant screamed still more piteously and begged and prayed so pridly to be spared saying he would do all that the prince wished if he would only not squeeze his heart in two tell him if he will restore to life again your six brothers and their brides whom he has turned to stone you will spare his life said the wolf yes the giant was ready to do that and he turned the six brothers into king's sons again and their brides into king's daughters now squeeze the egg in two said the wolf so boots squeezed the egg to pieces and the giant burst at once now when he had made an end of the giant boots rode back again on the wolf to the giant's house and there stood all his six brothers alive and merry with their brides then boots went into the hillside after his bride and so they all set off home again to their father's home and you may fancy how glad the old king was when he saw all his seven sons come back each with his bride but the loveliest bride of all is the bride of boots after all said the king and he shall sit up or most at the table on his side so he sent out and called a great wedding feast and the mirth was both loud and long and if they have not done feasting why they are still at it end of section sixteen section seventeen of popular tales from the Norse this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org read by Leni popular tales from the Norse by Sir George Webb Daison section seventeen the fox as herdsman once in a time there was a woman who went out to hire a herdsman and she met a bear with her away goodie said Bruin oh I'm going out to hire a herdsman why not have me for a herdsman said Bruin well why not said the woman if you only knew how to call the flock just let me hear oh oh girl the bear no no I won't have you said the woman as soon as she heard him say that and off she went on her way so when she had gone a bit further she met a wolf with her away goodie asked the wolf oh said she I'm going out to hire herdsman why not have me for a herdsman said the wolf well why not if you can only call the flock let me hear said she who said the wolf no no said the woman you'll never do for me well after she had gone a while longer she met a fox with her away goodie asked the fox oh I'm just going out to hire a herdsman said the woman why not have me for your herdsman asked the fox well why not if you only knew how to call the flock let me hear dildar loom sung out the fox in such a fine clear voice yes I'll have you for my herdsman said the woman the fox to herd her flock the first day the fox was herdsman he ate up all the woman's goats the next day he made an end of all her sheep and the third day he ate up all her kind so when he came home at even the woman asked what he had done with all her flocks oh said the fox their schools are in the stream and their bodies in the hold now the goodie stood and churned when the fox said this but she thought she might as well step out and see after her flock and while she was away the fox scrapped into the churn and ate up the cream so when the goodie came back and saw that she fell into such a rage that she snatched up the little morsel of the cream that was left and threw it at the fox as he ran off so that he got a dab of it on the end of his tail and that's the reason why the fox went to his brush end of section 17 section 18 of popular tales from the Norse this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org popular tales from the Norse by Sir George Webb Dassen section 18 the master made once on a time there was a king with several sons I don't know how many there were but the youngest had no rest at home for nothing else would please him but to go into the world and try his luck and after a long time the king was forced to give him leave to go now after he had traveled some days he came one night to a giant's house and there he got a place in the giant's service in the morning the giant went off to herd his goats and as he left the yard he was very stable and after you have done that you needn't do anything else today for you must know it is an easy master you have come to but what has set you to do you must do well and you mustn't think of going into any of the rooms which are beyond that in which you slept for if you go I'll take your life sure enough it is an easy master I have got said the prince to himself as he walked up and down the room he thought there was plenty of time to clean out the stable but still it would be good fun just to peep into his other rooms for there must be something in them which he is afraid lest I should see because he won't give me leave to go in so he went into the first room and there was a pot boiling on a hook by the wall but the prince saw no fire underneath it I wonder what is inside it he thought and then he dipped a lock of his hair into it and then we're all turned to copper what a dainty broth he said if one tasted it he'd look grand inside his gullet and with that he went into the next room there too was a pot hanging by a hook which bubbled and boiled but there was no fire under that either I may as well try this too said the prince as he put another lock into the pot and it came out all silvered they haven't such rich broth but it all depends on how it tastes and with that he went into the third room there too hung a pot and boiled just as he had seen in the other two rooms and the prince had a mind to try this too so he dipped a lock of hair into it and it came out gilded so that the light gleamed from it worse and worse said the old wife but I say better and better said the prince but if he boils gold here I wonder what he boils in yonder he thought he might as well see so he went through the door into the fourth room well there was no pot in there but there was a princess seated on a bench so lovely that the prince had never seen anything like her in his born days oh in heaven's name she said what do you want here I got a place here yesterday said the prince a place indeed heaven help you out of it well after all I think I've got an easy master he hasn't set me much to do today for after I have cleaned out the stable my day's work is over yes but how will you do it she said for if you set to work to clean it like other folk ten pitchforks full will come in for everyone you toss out but I will teach you how to set to work you must turn the fork upside down and toss with the handle and then all the dung will fly out of itself yes he would be sure to do that said the prince and so he sat there the whole day for he and the princess were soon great friends and had made up their minds to have one another and so the first day of his service with the giant was not long you may fancy but when the evening drew on she said it would be as well if he got the stable cleaned out before the giant came home and when he went to the stable he thought he would just see if what she had said were true he began to work like the grooms in his father's stable but he soon had enough of that for he hadn't worked a minute before the stable was so full of dung that he hadn't room to stand then he did as the princess bade him and turned up the fork and worked with the handle and lo in a trice the stable was as clean as if it had been scoured and when he had done his work he went back into the room where the giant had given him leave to be and began to walk up and down and into carol and to sing so after a bit home came the giant with his goats have you cleaned the stable asked the giant yes now it's all right and tight master answered the prince I'll soon see if it is growled the giant and strode off to the stable where he found it just as the prince had said you've been talking to my master maid I can see said the giant you've not sucked this knowledge out of your own breast master maid said the prince who looked as stupid as an owl what sort of thing is that master I'd be very glad to see it well well said the giant you'll see her soon enough next day the giant set off with his goats again and before he went he told the prince to fetch home his horse which was out at grass on the hillside and when he had done he might rest all the day for you must know it is an easy master you have come to said the giant but if you go into any of the rooms I spoke of yesterday I'll ring your head off so off he went with his flock of goats an easy master you are indeed said the prince but for all that I'll just go in and have a chat with your master maid maybe she'll be as soon mine as yours so he went into her and she asked him what he had to do that day oh nothing to be afraid of said he I've only to go up to the hillside to fetch his horse very well and how will you set about it well for that matter there's no great art in riding a horse home I fancy I've ridden fresher horses before now said the prince ah but this isn't so easy a task as you think but I'll teach you how to do it when you get near it fire and flame will come out of its nostrils as out of a tar barrel but look out and take the bit which hangs behind the door yonder and throw it right into his jaws and he will grow so tame that you may do what you like with him yes the prince would mind and do that and so he sat in there the whole day talking and chattering with the master maid about one thing and another but they always came back to how happy they would be if they could only have one another and get well away from the giant and to tell the truth the prince would have clean forgotten both the horse and the hillside if the master maid hadn't put him in mind of them when evening drew on telling him he had better set out to fetch the horse before the giant came home so he set off and took the bit which hung in the corner ran up the hill and it wasn't long before he met the horse with fire and flame streaming out of its nostrils but he watched his time and as the horse came open-jawed up to him he threw the bit into its mouth and it stood as quiet as a lamb after that it was no great matter to ride at home and put it up you may fancy and then the prince went into his room again and began to carol and sing so the giant came home again at even with his goats and the first words he said were have you brought my horse down from the hill yes master that I have said the prince and a better horse I never bestowed but for all that I wrote him straight home and put him up safe and sound I'll soon see to that said the giant and ran outside to the stable and there stood the horse just as the prince had said you've talked to my master maid I'll be bound for you haven't sucked this out of your own breast said the giant again yesterday master talked of this master maid and today it's the same story said the prince who pretended to be silly and stupid bless you master why don't you show me the thing at once I should so like to see it only once in my life oh if that's all said the giant you'll see her soon enough the third day at dawn the giant went off to the wood again with his goats but before he went he said to the prince today you must go to hell and fetch my fire tax when you have done that you can rest yourself all day for you must know it is an easy master and with that off he went easy master indeed said the prince you may be easy but you set me hard tasks all the same but I may as well see if I can find your master maid as you call her I dare say she'll tell me what to do and so in he went to her again so when the master maid asked what the giant had set him to do that day he told her how he was to go to hell and fetch the fire tax how will you set about it asked the master maid oh that you must tell me said the prince I have never been to hell in my life and even if I knew the way I don't know how much I am to ask for well I'll soon tell you said the master maid you must go to the steep rock away yonder under the hillside and take the club that lies there and knock on the face of the rock then there will come out and tell your errand and when he asks you how much you will have mind you say as much as I can carry yes he would be sure to say that so he sat in there with the master maid all that day too and though evening drew on he would have sat there till now had not the master maid put him in mind that it was high time to be off to hell to fetch the giant's fire tax before he came home so he went on his way to find him and when he reached the rock he took up the club and gave a great thumb then the rock opened and out came one whose face glistened and out of whose eyes and nostrils flew sparks of fire what is your will said he oh I'm only come from the giant to fetch his fire tax said the prince how much will you have then said the other lucky for you that you did not ask for a whole horse load said he who came out of the rock but come now into the rock with me and you shall have it so the prince went in with him and you may fancy what heaps and heaps of gold and silver he saw lying in there just like stones in a gravel pit and he got a load just as big as he was able to carry and set off home with it now when the giant came home with his goats at even and began to carol and sing as he had done the evenings before have you been to hell after my fire tax roared the giant oh yes that I have master answered the prince where have you put it said the giant there stands the sack on the bench yonder said the prince I'll soon see to that said the giant who strode off to the bench and there he saw the sack so full that the gold and silver dropped out on the floor as soon as ever he untied the string you've been talking to my master made that I can see said the giant but if you have I'll ring your head off master made said the prince yesterday master talked of this master made and today he talks of her again and the day before yesterday it was the same story I only wish I could see what sort of thing she is that I do well well wait till tomorrow the giant and then I'll take you into her myself thank you kindly master said the prince but it's only a joke of masters I'll be bound so next day the giant took him into the master made and said to her now you must cut his throat and boil him in this great big pot you want of and when the broth is ready just give me a call after that he laid him down on the bench to sleep and began to snore so that it sounded like thunder on the hills so the master made took a knife and cut the prince in his little finger and let three drops of blood fall on a three-legged stool and after that she took all the old rags and soles of shoes and all the rubbish she could lay hands on and put them into the pot and then she filled a chest full of ground gold and took a lump of salt and a flask of water that hung behind the door and she took these sides golden apple too golden chickens and off she set with the prince from the giant's house as fast as they could and when they had gone a little way they came to the sea and after that they sailed over the sea but where they got the ship from I have never heard tell so when the giant had slumbered a good bit he began to stretch himself as he lay on the bench and called out will it be soon done only just begun answered the first drop of blood on the stool so the giant laid down to sleep again and slumbered a long long time at last he began to toss about a little and cried out do you hear what I say will it be soon done but he did not look up this time any more than the first for he was still half asleep half done said the second drop of blood then the giant thought again it was the master made so he turned over on his other side and fell asleep again and when he had gone on sleeping for many hours he began to stir and stretch his old bones and to call out isn't it done yet done to a turn said the third drop of blood then the giant rose up and began to rub his eyes but he couldn't see who it was that was talking to him so he searched and called for the master made but no one answered ah well I dare say she's run out of doors for a bit he thought and took up a spoon up to the pot to taste the broth but he found nothing but shoe soles and rags and such stuff and it was all boiled up together so that he couldn't tell which was thick and which was thin as soon as he saw this he could tell how things had gone and he got so angry he scarce knew which leg to stand upon away he went after the prince and the master made till the wind whistled behind him but before long he came to the water and couldn't cross it never mind he said I know a cure for this I've only got to call on my stream sucker so he called on his stream sucker and he came and stooped down and took one two three gulps and then the water fell so much in the sea that the giant could see the master made and the prince sailing in their ship now you must cast out the lump of salt said the master made so the prince threw it overboard into a mountain so high right across the sea that the giant couldn't pass it and the stream sucker couldn't help him by swilling any more water never mind cried the giant there's a cure for this too so he called on his hillborer to come and bore through the mountain that the stream sucker might creep through and take another swill but just as they had made a hole through the hill and the stream sucker was about to drink the master made told the prince to throw overboard a drop or two out of the flask and then the sea was just as full as ever and before the stream sucker could take another gulp they reached the land and were saved from the giant so they made up their minds to go home to the prince's father but the prince would not hear of the master maids walking for he thought it seemed neither for her nor for him just wait here ten minutes he said while I go home after the seven horses which in my father's stall it's no great way off and I shan't be long about it but I shall not hear of my sweetheart walking to my father's palace ah said the master maid pray don't leave me for if you once get home to the palace you'll forget me outright I know you will oh said he how can I forget you you with whom I have gone through so much and whom I love so dearly there was no help for it he must and would go home to fetch the coach and seven horses and she was to wait for him by the seaside so at last the master maid was forced to let him have his way she only said now when you get home don't stop so much as to say good day to anyone go straight to the stable and put to the horses and drive back as quick as you can for they will all come about you but do as though you did not see them and above all things mind you not taste a parcel of food for if you do we shall both come to grief all this the prince promised but he thought all the time there was little fear of his forgetting her now just as he came home to the palace one of his brothers was thinking of holding his bridal feast and the bride and all her kith and kin were just come to the palace so they all thronged round him and asked about this thing in that and wanted him to go in with them but he so he did not see them and went straight to the stall and got out the horses and began to put them to and when they saw they could not get him to go in they came out to him with meat and drink and the best of everything they had got ready for the feast but the prince would not taste so much as a crumb and put to as fast as he could at last the bride's sister rolled an apple across the yard to him saying well if you won't eat anything else take a bite of this for you must be both hungry and thirsty after so long a journey so he took up the apple and bit a piece out of it but he had scarce done so before he forgot the master made and how he was to drive back for her well I think I must be mad he said what am I to do with this coach and horses so he put the horses up again and went along with the others into the palace and it soon settled that he should have a sister who had rolled the apple over to him there sat the master made by the seashore and waited and waited for the prince but no prince came so at last she went up from the shore and after she had gone a bit she came to a little hut which lay by itself in a cops close by the king's palace she went in and asked if she might lodge there it was an old dame that owned the hut and a cross-grained scolding she never saw at first she would not hear of the master made's lodging in her house but at last for fair words and high rent the master made got leave to be there now the hut was as dark and dirty as a pigsty so the master made said she would smarten it up a little that their house might look inside like other peoples the old hag did not like this either and showed her teeth and was cross but the master made did not mind her she took her gold and threw a handful or so into the fire and lo the gold melted and bubbled and boiled over out of the grate and spread itself over the whole hut till it was gilded both outside and in but as soon as the gold began to bubble and boil the old hag got so afraid that she tried to run out as if the evil one were at her heels and as she ran out the door she forgot to stoop and gave her head such a knock against the lintel that she broke her neck and that was the end of her next morning the constable passed that way and you may fancy he could scarce believe his eyes when he saw the golden hut shining and glistening away in the cops but he was still more astonished when he went in and saw the lovely maiden who sat there to make a long story short he fell head over ears in love with her and begged and prayed her to become his wife well but have you much money asked the master made yes for that matter he said he was not so badly off and off he went home to fetch the money and when he came back at even he brought a half bushel sack and set it down on the bench so the master made said that she would have him since he was so rich but they were scarce in bed before she said she must get up again for I have forgotten to make up the fire pray don't stir out of bed said the constable I'll see to it so he jumped out of bed and stood on the hearth in a trice as soon as you have got hold of the shovel just tell me said the master made well I am holding it now said the constable then the master made said got grant that you may hold the shovel and the shovel you and may you heap hot burning coals over yourself till morning breaks so there stood the constable all night long shoveling hot burning coals over himself and though he begged and prayed and wept the coals were not a bit colder for that but as soon as day broke and he had power to cast away the shovel he did not stay long as you may fancy but set off as if the evil one or the bailiff were at his heels and all who met him stared their eyes out at him for he cut capers as though he were mad and he could not look in worse plight if he had been flayed and tanned and everyone wondered what had befallen him but he told no one where he had been for the sake next day the attorney passed by the place where the master made lived and he too saw how it shone and glistened in the cops so he turned aside to find who owned the hut and when he came in and saw the lovely maiden he fell more in love with her than the constable and began to woo her in hot haste well the master made asked him as she had asked the constable if he had a good lot of money and as a proof he went home to fetch his money so at even he came back with a great fat sack of money I think it was a whole bushel sack and set it down on the bench and the long and the short of the matter was that he was to have her and they went to bed but all at once the master made had forgotten to shut the door of the porch and she must get up and make it fast for the night what you do that said the attorney while I lie here that can never be be still while I go and do it so up he jumped like a pea on a drum head and ran out into the porch tell me said the master made when you have hold of the door latch I've got hold of it now said the attorney God grant then said the master made that you may hold the door and the door you and that you may go from while to while till daydons so you may fancy what a dance the attorney had all night long such a waltz he never had before and I don't think he would much care if he never had such a waltz again now he pulled the door forward and then the door pulled him back and so he went on now dashed into one corner of the porch and now into the other till he was almost battered to death at first he began to curse and swear and then to beg and pray but the door cared nothing but holding its own till break of day as soon as it let go its hold off set the attorney leaving behind him his money to pay for his nights lodging and forgetting his courtship all together for to tell the truth he was afraid lest the house door should come dancing after him all who met him stared and gaped at him for he too cut capers like a madman and he could not have looked in worse plight if he had spent the whole night in budding against a flock of rams the third day the sheriff passed that way and he too saw the golden hut and turned aside to find out who lived there and he had scarce set eyes on the master maid before he began to woo her so she answered him as she had answered the other too if he had lots of money she would have him if not he might go about his business well the sheriff said he wasn't too badly off and he would go home and fetch the money and when he came again at even he had a bigger sack even than the attorney it must have been at least a bushel and a half and put it down on the bench so it was soon settled that he was to have the master maid but they had scarce gone to bed before the master maid said she had forgotten to bring home the calf from the meadow so she must get up and drive him into the stall then the sheriff swore by all the powers that should never be and stout and fat as he was up he jumped as nimbly as a kitten well only tell me when you've got hold of the calf's tail the master maid now I have hold of it said the sheriff god grant said the master maid that you may hold the calf's tail and the calf's tail you and that you may make a tour of the world together till day dawns well you may just fancy how the sheriff had to stretch his legs away they went the calf and he over high and low across hill and dale and the more the sheriff cursed and swore the faster the calf ran and jumped at dawn of day the poor sheriff was well nigh broken winded and so glad was he to let go of the calf's tail that he forgot his sack of money and everything else as he was a great man he went a little slower than the attorney in the constable but the slower he went the more time people had to gap and stare at him and I must say they made good use of their time for he was terribly tattered and torn after his dance with the calf next day was fixed for the wedding at the palace and the eldest brother was to drive to church with his bride and the younger who had lived with the giant with the bride's sister but when they had got into the coach and were just going to drive off one of the trace pins snapped off and though they made at least three in its place they all broke from whatever sort of wood they were made so time went on and on and they couldn't get to church and everyone grew very downcast but all at once the constable said for he too was bitten to the wedding that yonder way in the cops lived a maiden and if you can only get her to lend you the handle of her shovel with which she makes up her fire I know very well it will hold well they sent a messenger on the spot with such a pretty message to the maiden to know if they couldn't get alone of her shovel which the constable had spoken of and the maiden said yes they might have it so they got the trace pin which wasn't likely to snap but all at once just as they were driving off the bottom of the coach tumbled to bits so they set to work to make a new bottom as best they might but it mattered not how many nails they put into it nor of what wood they made it for as soon as ever they got the bottom well into the coach and were driving off snap it went into two again and they were even worse off than when they lost the trace pin just then the attorney said for if the constable was there you may fancy the attorney was there too a way yonder in the cops lives a maiden and if you could only get her to lend you one half of her porch door I know it can hold together well they sent another message to the cops and asked so prettily if they couldn't have the loan of the gilded porch door which the attorney had talked of and they got it on the spot so they were just setting out but now the horses were not strong enough to draw the coach though there were six of them then they put on eight and ten and twelve but the more they put on and the more the coachman whipped the more the coach wouldn't stir an inch by this time it was far on in the day and everyone about the palace was in doleful dumps for to church they must go yet it looked as if they should never get there so at last the sheriff said that yonder in the gilded hut the cops lived a maiden and if they could only get the loan of her calf I know it can drag the coach though it were as heavy as a mountain well they all thought it would look silly to be drawn to church by a calf but there was no help for it so they had to send a third time and asked so prettily in the king's name if he couldn't get the loan of the calf the sheriff had spoken of and the master made let them have it on the spot for she was not going to say no this time either so they put the calf on before the horses and waited to see if it would do any good and away went the coach over high and low and stock and stone so that they could scarce draw their breath sometimes they were on the ground and sometimes up in the air and when they reached the church the calf began to run around and around it like a spinning Jenny so that they had hard work to get out of the coach and into the church when they went back it was the same story they did it faster and they reached the palace almost before they knew they had set out now when they sat down to dinner the prince who had served with the giant said that he thought they ought to ask the maiden who had lent them her shovel handle and porch door and calf to come up to the palace four said he if we hadn't got these three things we should have been sticking here still yes the king thought that only fair and right so he sent five of his best men cut to greet the maiden from the king and to ask her if she wouldn't be so good as to come up and dine at the palace greet the king for me said the master maid and tell him if he's too good to come to me so am I too good to go to him so the king had to go himself and then the master maid went up with him without more ado and as the king thought she was more than she seemed to be he sat her down in the highest seat by the side of the youngest fried groom now when they had sat a little while at table the master maid took out her golden apple and the golden cock and hen which she had carried off from the giant and put them down on the table before her and the cock and hen began at once to peck at one another and to fight for the golden apple oh only look said the prince see how those two strive for the apple yes said the master maid so we too strove to get away that time when we were together in the hillside then the spell was broken and the prince knew her again and you may fancy how glad he was but as for the witch who had rolled the apple over to him he had her torn to pieces between 24 horses so that there was not a bit of her left and after that they held on with the wedding in real earnest and though they were still stiff and footsaw the constable, the attorney and the sheriff kept it up with the best of them with the best of them