Страница 594 из 626

But I am likewise the knight who helped you to your victory over

your enemies.' 'If you can perform such deeds as that, you are no

gardener's boy; tell me, who is your father?' 'My father is a

mighty king, and gold have I in plenty as great as I require.' 'I

well see,' said the king, 'that I owe my thanks to you; can I do

anything to please you?' 'Yes,' answered he, 'that indeed you

can. Give me your daughter to wife.' The maiden laughed, and

said: 'He does not stand much on ceremony, but I have already

seen by his golden hair that he was no gardener's boy,' and then

she went and kissed him. His father and mother came to the

wedding, and were in great delight, for they had given up all

hope of ever seeing their dear son again. And as they were

sitting at the marriage-feast, the music suddenly stopped, the

doors opened, and a stately king came in with a great retinue.