Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 9, 1898.djvu/266

240 treasure into two equal shares. Only the golden crown remained, and he drew his sword, cut it through, and gave half also of it to St. Joseph.

Old father,' he said, 'now I've shared everything, there's nothing more left.'

Nothing more left? You have forgotten the best of all.'

The best, old father, I can see nothing that we haven't shared.'

And the king's daughter? Did not the compact run that we must share everything that you got?'

"The lad was sore troubled, for he loved the king's fair daughter dearly. But he thought: 'I promised, and must keep my promise;' drew his sword, and was about to cleave the king's fair daughter in twain.

"But: 'Hold,' cried St. Joseph, 'the king's fair daughter is thine, and thine also all the treasures, for I am St. Joseph and need them not. I have helped thee because I knew thy piety and humility, and if ever thou needest me afterwards, apply to me always. I will help thee.'

"Thereon he blessed them both and vanished."

In "Sir Amadas" and in the Gaelic story there is talk of dividing the child as well as the mother; in the Bukowina-Gypsy story of "The Winged Hero" (a version of the Sanskrit "Weaver as Vishnu") the child only is mentioned:—

"The prince screwed his wings, and flew to the fire, and took a brand of it, and started back; and a spark fell on one wing, and the wing caught fire. Just as he was under the mountain the wing fell off, and he flung away the other as well. And he walked round the mountain and could not ascend it. And God came to him and said: 'Why weepest thou?'

Ah! how should I not weep? For I cannot ascend the mountain, and my wife has brought forth a child.'

What will you give me if I carry you to the top?'

I will give you whatever you want.'

Will you give me what is dearest to you?'

I will.'