But the young Jew replied, ‘I don’t want a sword; I wish to take that wand.’
Well, he got down from his horse; he picked up this wand and the little key. He got into the saddle again, and they went on their way with the help of God. They came to a great forest, where night surprised them. They saw a light shining in this forest.
‘See,’ said the lord’s son, ‘there’s a light shining over yonder.’
They came up to this light; they went into the room; there was no one within. There they see a beautiful bed, [[178]]but unoccupied. They see that there is food for them. There is a golden goblet on the side next to the nobleman’s son; and beside the young Jew there is a goblet of silver. The nobleman’s son would have seated himself beside the silver goblet, but the young Jew said to him, ‘Listen to me, brother. You are the son of a wealthy sire, and I am a poor man’s son; your place therefore is beside the goblet of gold, and I will seat myself beside the silver goblet.’
Thereafter he disrobed him deftly, and made him lie down on the bed.
‘Come you to bed, brother,’ said the nobleman’s son.
‘I don’t feel sleepy,’ replied the young Jew.
‘Well, I’m going to sleep at any rate.’
He placed himself beside the table, this young Jew, and pretended to fall asleep. Two ladies approached the young Jew, but they were not really ladies—they were fairies.[7] These ladies spoke thus to one another, ‘Oh! this young Jew and this nobleman’s son are going to a capital, where they wish to carry away the king’s daughter. But,’ said they, ‘the young Jew did well to pick up that wand with the little key, for there will be an iron door, which with that key he will be able to open.’
These ladies went away with the help of God. The young Jew undressed himself and went to bed. They arose next morning; they came to that iron door; the young Jew dismounted and opened it. They see that this is the capital wherein dwells the princess. They went into this town; they see a gentleman passing. The young Jew asks him, ‘Where is there a first-rate inn in this place?’ The gentleman indicated such a one to them, and guided them to it. He paid him for his trouble. They ate until they were satisfied. The nobleman’s son remained in the inn, and the young Jew sallied out into the town. He saw a gentleman passing.