XVIIII
I enter the labyrinth and listen to the rules governing my progress therein. I meet a terrible lion which I overcome quite readily, as I likewise do other difficulties I encounter, especially a huge serpent which I gorge with an indigestible meal.
NOTWITHSTANDING what the hermit had said, I proceeded on my journey across the mountains. When I reached the highest peak I saw a square of white trees. This was of great extent, inclosing several hundred square miles of land, which was full of hills and rivers. I noticed the trees within the square were so closely set the ground was not visible from my position, and if I had passed over it in my airship I should have been none the wiser.
I observed, however, what I supposed to be an entrance on each of the four sides, and made my way to the nearest one.
As I was about to enter, I was accosted by a voice (the owner of which I could not discover, though I diligently sought to do so) which said:
“Enterest thou here as a suitor to the hand of the princess?”
“Thou dost speak with great truthfulness,” I made answer.
“Then harken thou to the following rules, each one of which must receive strict attention at your hands under penalty of death.
“First: If thou hast fought because of the princess, turn back at once.