Six days are gone, and he takes no manner of trouble, but goes meanly as ever. Now ten are gone, and only two remain. The tailor called the bridegroom. ‘And what shall we do, for there’s nothing ready for the wedding?’
‘Ah! don’t fret, and fear not: God will provide.’
Now but one day remained; and he, the bridegroom, went forth, and rubbed the ring. And out came a little lord and asked him, ‘What do you want, master?’
‘In a day’s time make me a three-story palace, and let it turn with the sun on a screw, and let the roof be of glass, and let there be water and fish there, the fish swimming and sporting in the roof, so that the lords may look at the roof, and marvel what magnificence is this. And let there be victuals and golden dishes and silver spoons, and one cup being drained and one cup filled.’
That day it was ready.
‘And let me have a carriage and six horses, and a hundred soldiers for outriders, and two hundred on either side.’
On the morrow he started for the wedding, he from one place, and she from another; and they went to the church and were married, and came home. His brothers came and his father, and a heap of lords. And they drink and eat, and all kept looking at the roof.
When they had eaten and drunk, he asked the lords, ‘What they would do to him who seeks to slay his brother?’
His brothers heard. ‘Such a one merits death.’
Then he washed himself with the other water, and his face became as it was. Thus his brothers knew him. And he said, ‘Good day to you, brothers. You fancied I had perished. You have pronounced your own doom. Come out with me, and toss your swords up in the air. If you acted fairly by me, it will fall before you, but if unfairly, it will fall on your head.’ [[90]]