Thereupon they attempted to leap over the high city wall; but they
touched the strings, and instantly the bells rang an alarm through all
the city, and the drums beat. Then every one jumped up and ran out of
the court with their weapons, whilst some opened the gate that no
misfortune might befall the Princess. Presently the Princess herself
awoke; and, perceiving that a youth had been in the apartment, she
gave an alarm, which soon brought all the courtiers around her. There
was speedily gathered a crowd of famous and valiant knights, and she
said to them: "Now ye brave warriors, go forth and fetch hither this
youth and bring me his head; so shall his boldness be punished!"
And the valiant knights promised her: "We will not rest until we have
slain him, and brought his head to you, even if he were in the midst
of an army." So the Princess dismissed them, and went up into her
balcony, and gazed after her army and after the stranger who had dared
to intrude into the privacy of her court, and caress her in her sleep.
When the alarm was given, Lyubim Tsarevich had already ridden a great
distance on his Wolf-steed, and was half-way to his tent before he
could be overtaken. As soon as he saw them approach, he wheeled about
and grew furious at beholding such an array of Knights in the field.
Then they fell upon him; but Lyubim Tsarevich laid about him valiantly
with his sword, and slew many, whilst his horse trod down still more
under his hoofs, and it ended in their slaying nearly all the little
knightlets. And Lyubim Tsarevich saw one single knight mounted upon a
white steed, with a head like a beer-barrel, who rode at him; but
Lyubim Tsarevich slew him also, leaped on the white horse, and left
the Wolf to rest. When they had rested they betook themselves to their
tent.
When the beautiful Princess saw Lyubim Tsarevich overcome singly such
a large host, she collected a still larger army and sent them forth
against him, whilst she went back again to her balcony.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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