She, perceiving that her sister was so happy in seeking her fortune,
would needs do the same; so disclosing her mind to her mother, all
preparations were made; not only rich apparel, but sweetmeats, sugar,
almonds, etc., in great quantities, and a large bottle of Malaga sack.
Thus furnished she went the same road as her sister, and coming near the
cave, there sat the old man, who said, "Young woman, whither, so fast?"
"What is that to you?" said she. Then said he, "What have you in your
bag and bottle?" She answered, "Good things, what you shall not be
troubled with." "Won't you give me some?" said he. "No, not a bit nor a
drop, unless it would choke you." The old man frowned, saying, "Evil
fortune attend thee." Going on, she came to the hedge, through which she
espied a gap, where she thought to pass, but going in the hedge closed,
and the thorns run into her flesh, so that with great difficulty she got
out. Being now in a bloody condition, she looks for water to wash
herself, and looking round she saw a well, and sitting down, one of the
heads came up to her, saying, "Wash me, comb me, lay me down softly."
But she banged it with her bottle, saying, "Hang you, take this for your
washing." So the second and third heads came up, and met with no better
welcome than the first. Whereupon the heads consulted among themselves
what evils to plague her with for such usage. The first said, "Let her
be struck with leprosy in her face." The second said, "Let an additional
stink be added to her breath." The third bestowed on her a husband,
though but a poor country cobbler. This done, she goes on till she came
to a market town, and it being market day, the people smelt a stink,
and seeing such a mangy face, all fled but a poor cobbler, who not long
before had mended the shoes of an old hermit, who, having no money, gave
him a box of ointment for the cure of the leprosy, and a bottle of
spirits for a stinking breath. Now the cobbler having a mind to do an
act of charity, was minded to try an experiment; so going up to her,
asked her who she was? "I am," said she, "the king of Colchester's
daughter-in-law." "Well," said the cobbler, "if I restore you to your
natural complexion, and make a sound cure both in face and breath, will
you in reward take me for a husband?" "Yes, friend," replied she, "with
all my heart." With this the cobbler applied the remedies, and they
worked the effect in a few weeks, which being done, they were married.
After some few days spent in town, they set forward for the court at
Colchester. At length coming there, and the queen understanding she had
married nothing but a poor cobbler, fell into distraction, and in wrath
hanged herself. The death of the queen pleased the king much, who was
glad he had got rid of her so soon. Having buried her, he gave the
cobbler one hundred pounds, on condition that he and his lady would quit
the court. The cobbler received it, and promised he would. Then setting
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