“Does she not please thee?” asked the king.
“Oh, she pleases me,” said Boyislav,—“pleases me greatly; but first I must talk with my father.” The king smiled, and led his guest to the supper-chamber, where he was entertained in king’s fashion. Boyislav wished to go very soon, but the king took him first to his treasury, and offered him much gold and silver.
“Thanks to thy Grace!” answered Boyislav. “My father has great treasures also; but if thou wilt make me some present, give me a piece of rope to repair my horse’s bridle.”
“Oh, I will give thee a splendid bridle and saddle!” said the king.
But Boyislav answered: “I wish no rich outfit on the road; it is an enticement to robbers.”
The king tried to persuade him, but could not; then he had a rope brought which was very slender, but very long, so that Boyislav was hardly able to bear it away. After a kindly farewell to the king and the princess, he hastened outside the town, where the horse called from a distance: “Thou hast done well; now wind that rope round my body.”
Boyislav opened the bundle, and a whole hour passed before he could wind the rope around the horse. When he had finished, they hurried to the sea, where the horse said, “Throw a second apple in the sea.”
“But it would be an eternal pity!” said Boyislav.
“I tell thee to throw the second apple in the sea!” repeated the horse, with stern voice. Boyislav obeyed. That moment five hundred miles of road rose from the waves of the sea, along which the horse rushed like the wind, night and day. When the domes of a great city were visible in the distance, he said to Boyislav: “Now we are coming to Green Island, ruled by a king who has a daughter, not beautiful and not ugly; thou wilt say that thou art looking for a bride, but before choosing thou must consult thy father. When thou art taking leave, the king will offer all kinds of jewels as a gift; accept nothing, but ask for the cloth of the table from which thou hast eaten.”
Boyislav promised this. When they had come to Green Island, the road sank in the sea, and the horse hurried toward the city. The horse remained in a meadow outside the gates. Boyislav went to the palace, where he was welcomed by the king, and presented to the princess.