Sayfa 568 / 626

But the old king was very angry when he saw how his daughter

behaved, and how she ill-treated all his guests; and he vowed

that, willing or unwilling, she should marry the first man, be he

prince or beggar, that came to the door.

Two days after there came by a travelling fiddler, who began to

play under the window and beg alms; and when the king heard him,

he said, 'Let him come in.' So they brought in a dirty-looking

fellow; and when he had sung before the king and the princess, he

begged a boon. Then the king said, 'You have sung so well, that I

will give you my daughter for your wife.' The princess begged and

prayed; but the king said, 'I have sworn to give you to the first

comer, and I will keep my word.' So words and tears were of no

avail; the parson was sent for, and she was married to the

fiddler. When this was over the king said, 'Now get ready to

go--you must not stay here--you must travel on with your

husband.'