Ulric was still more surprised at being recognised under a disguise that had served him well so far; he could not speak for astonishment.
"Thou seekest the 'deathless rose of friendship,' is it not so?" asked the unknown.
"Ay, good sir. Perhaps thou canst aid me in my search?"
"Fair Prince, I can indeed advise thee how to proceed. First of all, hie thee out of this forest with all speed."
"Why, good sir, methinks it is a lovely place. The air is softer here than any I have known before, the birds sing sweeter songs, the flowers breathe a rarer perfume; for the first time in my life I feel happy; everything is fresh and young, and full of hope."
"Ay, royal minstrel, many love my land. Beware,
nevertheless, of journeying through it. It is enchanted; and if thou wouldst indeed follow thy quest, hie thee from the shelter of its trees and from the scent of its flowers; but ere thou goest, I will tell thee what the word friendship means. Friends should be as bells upon a hyacinth, fed with the same rain, nourished by the same dew, warmed by the same sun, rocked by the same wind; equal, placid, and calm in their lives; above all, they should possess the virtue of unselfishness. Self-interest is the death of friendship."
"Good sir, I have ever felt thus; and being of this mind, I threw off my habit of a Prince and started in search of the great gift; but I have ridden now for a whole year, and I find it not, neither have I met in all my travels any who possess this 'deathless rose.'"
"Thou wast but a youth when thou didst leave thy father's palace; now thou art a man, and the King mourns thee as dead."
When Ulric heard this he was greatly grieved, and at once resolved to return to the Rose Islands.