Four and Twenty Fairy Tales: Selected from Those of Perrault, and Other Popular Writers
General
Four and Twenty Fairy Tales: Selected from Those of Perrault, and Other Popular Writers
Fairy tales
She would have continued in this strain had she not perceived,
stretched close to her, the Silver-footed Hind, quietly gazing at her.
She thought this time she must catch it: with one hand she held out
to it a bunch of grass, and with the other grasped the cord; but the
deer bounded lightly away, and when it had gone a short distance, it
stopped, and looked back at her. It kept up this game all day. Another
night came, and passed like the one before it. She awoke under similar
circumstances, and four days and nights elapsed in the like manner.
At length, on the fifth morning, Fairer than a Fairy, on opening her
eyes, thought she saw a light more brilliant than that of day, when she
perceived, in those of her lover, seated near her, all the affection
with which she had inspired him. He fervently kissed one of her feet;
his presence and this respectful action gratified her greatly. "You
are there, then," said she. "If I have not beheld you all these days,
I have, at all events, received the proofs of your goodness." "Say of
my love, Fairer than a Fairy," replied he. "My mother suspects that it
is I who assist you: she has placed me in confinement. I have escaped a
moment, by means of a fairy of my acquaintance. Adieu! I came only to
encourage you. You shall see me this evening, and if fortune smiles,
to-morrow we shall be happy." He departed, and she hunted again all
day. When night came, she perceived near her a little light, which
sufficed to show her her lover. "Here is my illuminated wand," said he:
"place it before you, and go without fear wherever it will lead you.
Where it stops you will perceive a great heap of dry leaves; set fire
to it, enter the place; you will see and you will find the skin of a
beast; burn it. The stars, our friends, will do the rest. Adieu!"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account