He spoke kindly to her, and said: ‘Do not be afraid. I and the Beggar-Man, who lived in the poor little hovel with you, are one and the same. For love of you I disguised myself; and I was also the Hussar who rode among your pots. All this I did to bend your proud spirit, and to punish you for the haughtiness with which you mocked me.’
She wept bitterly, and said: ‘I was very wicked, and I am not worthy to be your wife.’
But he said: ‘Be happy! Those evil days are over. Now we will celebrate our true wedding.’
The waiting-women came and put rich clothing upon her, and her Father, with all his Court, came and wished her joy on her marriage with King Thrushbeard.
Then, in truth, her happiness began. I wish we had been there to see it, you and I.
Iron Hans
THERE was once a King whose castle was surrounded by a forest full of game. One day he sent a Huntsman out to shoot a deer, but he never came back.
‘Perhaps an accident has happened to him,’ said the King.
Next day he sent out two more Huntsmen to look for him, but they did not return either. On the third day he sent for all his Huntsmen, and said to them, ‘Search the whole forest without ceasing, until you have found all three.’