Pagina 89 van 626

Then the fisherman went home; and as he came close to the palace

he saw a troop of soldiers, and heard the sound of drums and

trumpets. And when he went in he saw his wife sitting on a throne

of gold and diamonds, with a golden crown upon her head; and on

each side of her stood six fair maidens, each a head taller than

the other. 'Well, wife,' said the fisherman, 'are you king?'

'Yes,' said she, 'I am king.' And when he had looked at her for a

long time, he said, 'Ah, wife! what a fine thing it is to be

king! Now we shall never have anything more to wish for as long

as we live.' 'I don't know how that may be,' said she; 'never is

a long time. I am king, it is true; but I begin to be tired of

that, and I think I should like to be emperor.' 'Alas, wife! why

should you wish to be emperor?' said the fisherman. 'Husband,'

said she, 'go to the fish!