Page:RussianFolkTales Afanasev 368pgs.djvu/202

186 "If it suit me, I should let them fly by as they should; otherwise I should pluck them bald."

"Potter, hold in your horse a little while I look at your stock." The potter stopped and displayed his goods.

"Can you make any such for me?"

"How many?"

"Ten cart-loads."

"How long will you require?"

"One month."

"In a fortnight I can bring them into the town. I suit you and you suit me."

"Thank you, potter."

"Will you be in the city when I bring the goods?"

"Yes, I shall be there as the merchant's guest."

So the Tsar drove into the city and ordered that at all his feasts the plates should be neither of silver nor of pewter, nor of copper nor of wood, but only of clay. The potter carried out the Tsar's orders and brought his goods into the city. A boyár rode up to the potter and said to him: "God be with you, potter."

"Thank you, your honour."

"Sell me all your goods."

"I cannot; they are already sold."

"What does that matter? Take my money for it; you will be doing no wrong, as long as you have received no orders for the work. What do you want?"

"I want every plate filled with money."

"Listen, potter—that is too much."

"Very well, then: one filled with money and two empty. Do you agree?"

So they agreed at that: "You suit me and I suit you."

They filled up the plates and again emptied them, and they went on filling plates until there was not any money left: but there were ever so many plates over. The boyár saw he was getting the worst of the bargain