"What is your will, your Majesty?" said he, bowing low before the King.
"Fly through the air and fetch me the Princess Mary Radiant," said the King. "For if she will smile on my back-yard, it will be turned into a garden."
Sir Richard Byrde bowed low before the King.
"I go," he said … and went.
He had not flown many leagues from the palace when he began to realise that he might fly and fly, and never find the Princess Mary Radiant.
"I wish I knew the way," he cried.
Then to him as to Sir Hunny Bee appeared the little old man.
"Fly over cloud and through air for seven times seven leagues," said he, "till you come to a large gate-post on which is hung a sign-board. Follow the directions on the sign-board, and all will be well. By the way, you had better take this parcel with you, and open it when you reach the gate-post," and flinging a little parcel on the ground, the little old man disappeared. Sir Richard Byrde picked up the parcel, which was smaller than the smallest seed, and flew on over cloud and through air for seven times seven leagues. There, just as the old man had said, was the gate-post and the sign-board. He, too, read the directions:—
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"THE GARDEN OF THE PRINCESS MARY RADIANT" No man shall be admitted here, Till he a fine doth pay. And he who will not pay the fine From hence must ride away. By him that rides here over land, A silver bell is paid. He that flies hither through the air, Must bring a dark-faced maid. While he that through the sea doth swim, Must bring a cockle-shell with him. By order, M. R. |
"'He that flies hither through the air,
Must bring a dark-faced maid,'