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the travelling companion-第5章

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handkerchief; and told him not to untie it till the princess asked him

what she was thinking of。 There were so many people in the great

hall of the palace that they stood as thick as radishes tied

together in a bundle。 The council sat in their arm…chairs with the

white cushions。 The old king wore new robes; and the golden crown

and sceptre had been polished up so that he looked quite smart。 But

the princess was very pale; and wore a black dress as if she were

going to a funeral。

    〃What have I thought of?〃 asked the princess; of John。 He

immediately untied the handkerchief; and was himself quite

frightened when he saw the head of the ugly magician。 Every one

shuddered; for it was terrible to look at; but the princess sat like a

statue; and could not utter a single word。 At length she rose and gave

John her hand; for he had guessed rightly。

    She looked at no one; but sighed deeply; and said; 〃You are my

master now; this evening our marriage must take place。〃

    〃I am very pleased to hear it;〃 said the old king。 〃It is just

what I wish。〃

    Then all the people shouted 〃Hurrah。〃 The band played music in the

streets; the bells rang; and the cake…women took the black crape off

the sugar…sticks。 There was universal joy。 Three oxen; stuffed with

ducks and chickens; were roasted whole in the market…place; where

every one might help himself to a slice。 The fountains spouted forth

the most delicious wine; and whoever bought a penny loaf at the

baker's received six large buns; full of raisins; as a present。 In the

evening the whole town was illuminated。 The soldiers fired off

cannons; and the boys let off crackers。 There was eating and drinking;

dancing and jumping everywhere。 In the palace; the high…born gentlemen

and beautiful ladies danced with each other; and they could be heard

at a great distance singing the following song:…



                   〃Here are maidens; young and fair;

                   Dancing in the summer air;

                   Like two spinning…wheels at play;

                   Pretty maidens dance away…

                   Dance the spring and summer through

                   Till the sole falls from your shoe。〃



    But the princess was still a witch; and she could not love John。

His fellow…traveller had thought of that; so he gave John three

feathers out of the swan's wings; and a little bottle with a few drops

in it。 He told him to place a large bath full of water by the

princess's bed; and put the feathers and the drops into it。 Then; at

the moment she was about to get into bed; he must give her a little

push; so that she might fall into the water; and then dip her three

times。 This would destroy the power of the magician; and she would

love him very much。 John did all that his companion told him to do。

The princess shrieked aloud when he dipped her under the water the

first time; and struggled under his hands in the form of a great black

swan with fiery eyes。 As she rose the second time from the water;

the swan had become white; with a black ring round its neck。 John

allowed the water to close once more over the bird; and at the same

time it changed into a most beautiful princess。 She was more lovely

even than before; and thanked him; while her eyes sparkled with tears;

for having broken the spell of the magician。 The next day; the king

came with the whole court to offer their congratulations; and stayed

till quite late。 Last of all came the travelling companion; he had his

staff in his hand and his knapsack on his back。 John kissed him many

times and told him he must not go; he must remain with him; for he was

the cause of all his good fortune。 But the traveller shook his head;

and said gently and kindly; 〃No: my time is up now; I have only paid

my debt to you。 Do you remember the dead man whom the bad people

wished to throw out of his coffin? You gave all you possessed that

he might rest in his grave; I am that man。〃 As he said this; he

vanished。

    The wedding festivities lasted a whole month。 John and his

princess loved each other dearly; and the old king lived to see many a

happy day; when he took their little children on his knees and let

them play with his sceptre。 And John became king over the whole

country。

                            THE END



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