第435页 / 共626页

Then poor Lily was led away, and forced to give up the golden

dress; and when she saw that there was no help for her, she went

out into a meadow, and sat herself down and wept. But as she sat

she bethought herself of the egg that the moon had given her; and

when she broke it, there ran out a hen and twelve chickens of

pure gold, that played about, and then nestled under the old

one's wings, so as to form the most beautiful sight in the world.

And she rose up and drove them before her, till the bride saw

them from her window, and was so pleased that she came forth and

asked her if she would sell the brood. 'Not for gold or silver,

but for flesh and blood: let me again this evening speak with the

bridegroom in his chamber, and I will give thee the whole brood.'