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
Meanwhile, Anguillette, having transported the Prince of the Peaceful
Island to his dominions, touched with her wand the sad remains of the
charming Atimir and the lovely Hebe. At the same instant they were
transformed into two trees of the most perfect beauty. The Fairy gave
them the name of _Charmes_,[9] to preserve for ever the remembrance of
the charms which had been so brilliantly displayed in the persons of
these unfortunate lovers.
FOOTNOTES:
[8] This compliment, so deservedly paid to the Countess
d'Aulnoy, proves that this story was written after the production of
that lady's popular fairy tale entitled "La Princesse Carpillon."
[9] _Charmes_ is the French name for that species of elm
called the yok elm.
YOUNG AND HANDSOME.
Once on a time there was a potent Fairy, who endeavoured to resist
the power of Love; but the little god was more potent than the Fairy.
He touched her heart without even employing all his power. A handsome
Knight arrived at the Court of the Fairy in search of adventures. He
was amiable, the son of a king, and had acquired renown by a thousand
noble achievements. His worth was known to the Fairy. Fame had wafted
the report of it even into her dominions.
The person of the young Prince corresponded so entirely with his high
reputation, that the Fairy, moved by so many charms, accepted in a very
short time the proposals which the handsome Knight made to her. The
Fairy was beautiful, and he was sincerely in love with her. She married
him, and by that marriage made him the richest and most powerful King
in the world. They lived a long time most happily together after their
union.
The Fairy grew old, and the King, her husband, although he kept pace
with her in years, ceased to love her as soon as her beauty had
departed. He attached himself to some young beauties of his Court, and
the Fairy was tormented by a jealousy which proved fatal to several
of her rivals. She had had but one daughter by her marriage with the
handsome Knight. She was the object of all her tenderness, and was
worthy of the affection lavished on her.
The Fairies, who were her relations, had endowed her from her birth
with the finest intelligence, the sweetest beauty, and with graces
still more charming than beauty. Her dancing surpassed anything that
had ever been seen, and her voice subdued all hearts.
Her form was perfect symmetry. Without being too tall, her appearance
was noble. Her hair was of the most beautiful black in the world. Her
mouth small and exquisitely formed, her teeth of surprising whiteness.
Her lovely eyes were black, sparkling, and expressive, and never did
glances so piercing and yet so tender awaken love in the bosoms of all
beholders.
The Fairy had named her Young and Handsome. She had not as yet endowed
her herself. She had postponed that favour in order to judge the
better in process of time by what sort of benefit she could ensure the
happiness of a child that was so dear to her.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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