第 4 节
作者:
蝎子王 更新:2021-02-19 00:39 字数:9322
wine like that which was drunk by the king。 The lion said; I will go
with him; and see that I get the right wine。 Then he went down with
the cup…bearer; and when they were below; the cup…bearer wanted to
draw him some of the common wine that was drunk by the king's
servants; but the lion said; stop; I will taste the wine first; and
he drew half a measure; and swallowed it down at one draught。 No;
said he; that is not right。 The cup…bearer looked at him askance;
but went on; and was about to give him some out of another barrel
which was for the king's marshal。 The lion said; stop; let me taste
the wine first; and drew half a measure and drank it。 That is
better; but still not right; said he。 Then the cup…bearer grew angry
and said; how can a stupid animal like you understand wine。 But the
lion gave him a blow behind the ears; which made him fall down by no
means gently; and when he had got up again; he conducted the lion
quite silently into a little cellar apart; where the king's wine lay;
from which no one ever drank。 The lion first drew half a measure and
tried the wine; and then he said; that may possibly be the right
sort; and bade the cup…bearer fill six bottles of it。 And now they
went upstairs again; but when the lion came out of the cellar into
the open air; he reeled here and there; and was rather drunk; and the
cup…bearer was forced to carry the wine as far as the door for him;
and then the lion took the handle of the basket in his mouth; and
took it to his master。 The huntsman said; behold; sir host; here
have I bread; meat; vegetables; confectionery and wine such as the
king has; and now I will dine with my animals; and he sat down and
ate and drank; and gave the hare; the fox; the wolf; the bear; and
the lion also to eat and to drink; and was joyful; for he saw that
the king's daughter still loved him。 And when he had finished his
dinner; he said; sir host; now have I eaten and drunk; as the king
eats and drinks; and now I will go to the king's court and marry the
king's daughter。
Said the host; how can that be; when she already has a betrothed
husband; and when the wedding is to be solemnized to…day。 Then the
huntsman drew forth the handerchief which the king's daughter had
given him on the dragon's hill; and in which were folded the
monster's seven tongues; and said; that which I hold in my hand shall
help me to do it。 Then the innkeeper looked at the handkerchief; and
said; whatever I believe; I do not believe that; and I am willing to
stake my house and courtyard on it。 The huntsman; however; took a
bag with a thousand gold pieces; put it on the table; and said; I
stake that on it。
Now the king said to his daughter; at the royal table; what did all
the wild animals want; which have been coming to you; and going in
and out of my palace。 She replied; I may not tell you; but send and
have the master of these animals brought; and you will do well。 The
king sent a servant to the inn; and invited the stranger; and the
servant came just as the huntsman had laid his wager with the
innkeeper。 Then said he; behold; sir host; now the king sends his
servant and invites me; but I do not go in this way。
And he said to the servant; I request the lord king to send me royal
clothing; and a carriage with six horses; and servants to attend me。
When the king heard the answer; he said to his daughter; what shall I
do。 She said; cause him to be fetched as he desires to be; and you
will do well。 Then the king sent royal apparel; a carriage with six
horses; and servants to wait on him。 When the huntsman saw them
coming; he said; behold; sir host; now I am fetched as I desired to
be; and he put on the royal garments; took the handerchief with the
dragon's tongues with him; and drove off to the king。 When the king
saw him coming; he said to his daughter; how shall I receive him。
She answered; go to meet him and you will do well。 Then the king
went to meet him and led him in; and his animals followed。 The king
gave him a seat near himself and his daughter; and the marshal; as
bridegroom; sat on the other side; but no longer knew the huntsman。
And now at this very moment; the seven heads of the dragon were
brought in as a spectacle; and the king said; the seven heads were
cut off the dragon by the marshal; wherefore to…day I give him my
daughter to wife。 The the huntsman stood up; opened the seven
mouths; and said; where are the seven tongues of the dragon。 Then
was the marshal terrified; and grew pale and knew not what answer he
should make; and at length in his anguish he said; dragons have no
tongues。 The huntsman said; liars ought to have none; but the
dragon's tongues are the tokens of the victor; and he unfolded the
handerchief; and there lay all seven inside it。 And he put each
tongue in the mouth to which it belonged; and it fitted exactly。
Then he took the handkerchief on which the name of the princess was
embroidered; and showed it to the maiden; and asked to whom she had
given it; and she replied; to him who killed the dragon。 And then he
called his animals; and took the collar off each of them and the
golden clasp from the lion; and showed them to the maiden and asked
to whom they belonged。 She answered; the necklace and golden clasp
were mine; but I divided them among the animals who helped to conquer
the dragon。 Then spoke the huntsman; when I; tired of the fight; was
resting and sleeping; the marshal came and cut off my head。 Then he
carried away the king's daughter; and gave out that it was he who had
killed the dragon; but that he lied I prove with the tongues; the
handkerchief; and the necklace。
And then he related how his animals had healed him by means of a
wonderful root; and how he had traveled about with them for one year;
and had at length come there and had learnt the treachery of the
marshal by the inn…keeper's story。 Then the king asked his daughter;
is it true that this man killed the dragon。
And she answered; yes; it is true。 Now can I reveal the wicked deed
of the marshal; as it has come to light without my connivance; for he
wrung from me a promise to be silent。 For this reason; however; did
I make the condition that the marriage should not be solemnized for a
year and a day。 Then the king bade twelve councillors be summoned
who were to pronounce judgment on the marshal; and they sentenced him
to be torn to pieces by four bulls。
The marshal was therefore executed; but the king gave his daughter to
the huntsman; and named him his viceroy over the whole kingdom。 The
wedding was celebrated with great joy; and the young king caused his
father and his foster…father to be brought; and loaded them with
treasures。 Neither did he forget the inn…keeper; but sent for him
and said; behold; sir host; I have married the king's daughter; and
your house and yard are mine。
The host said; yes; according to justice it is so。 But the young
king said; it shall be done according to mercy; and told him that he
should keep his house and yard; and gave him the thousand pieces of
gold as well。
And now the young king and queen were thoroughly happy; and lived in
gladness together。 He often went out hunting because it was a
delight to him; and the faithful animals had to accompany him。 In
the neighborhood; however; there was a forest of which it was
reported that it was haunted; and that whosoever did but enter it did
not easily get out again。 But the young king had a great inclination
to hunt in it; and let the old king have no peace until he allowed
him to do so。 So he rode forth with a great following; and when he
came to the forest; he saw a snow…white hind; and said to his men;
wait here until I return; I want to hunt that beautiful creature; and
he rode into the forest after it; followed only by his animals。 The
attendants halted and waited until evening; but he did not return; so
they rode home; and told the young queen that the young king had
followed a white hind into the enchanted forest; and had not come
back again。 Then she was in the greatest concern about him。 He;
however; had still continued to ride on and on after the beautiful
wild animal; and had never been able to overtake it; when he thought
he was near enough to aim; he instantly saw it bound away into the
far distance; and at length it vanished altogether。 And now he
perceived that he had penetrated deep into the forest; and blew his
horn but he received no answer; for his attendants could not hear it。
And as night was falling; he saw that he could not get home that day;
so he dismounted from his horse; lighted himself a fire near a tree;
and resolved to spend the night by it。 While he was sitting by the
fire; and his animals also were lying down beside him; it seemed to
him that he heard a human voice。 He looked round; but could
perceived nothing。 Soon afterwards; he again heard a groan as if
from above; and then he looked up; and saw an old woman sitting in
the tree; who wailed unceasingly; oh; oh; oh; how cold I am。 Said
he; come down; and warm yourself if you are cold。 But she said; no;
your animals will bite me。 He answered; they will do you no harm;
old mother; do come down。 She; however; was a witch; and said; I
will throw down a wand from the tree; and if you strike them on the
back with it; they will do me