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Rh yet than the former, and he prayed and bowed down low.

"Good day, fair maiden!"

"Good day, strange youth! Sit down and tell me whence you come and what you seek."

"But, fair maiden, you have given me nothing to eat or drink, and you ask my news!"

So the maiden put rich drink and food on the table, and Iváshko ate as much as he would. Then he told her that he was seeking a bride, and he asked her if she would be the bride. "Go yet farther into the golden realm; there there is a maiden who is yet much fairer than I!" the girl said, and she gave him a golden ring.

Iváshko said farewell, and went yet farther, went deeper still, into the golden realm. There he found a maiden who was much, very much fairer than the others, and there he said the right prayer, and he saluted the maiden.

"Whither art thou going, fair youth; and what do you seek?"

"Fair maiden, give me to eat and drink, and I will tell you my news."

So she got him so fine a meal that no better meal on earth could be wished, and she was so fair that no pen could write and no tale could tell. Iváshko set to valorously, and then he told his tale. "I am seeking a bride; if you will marry me, come with me!"

So the maiden consented, and she gave him a golden ball. Then they went on and on together, until they reached the silver realm, where they took the maiden who was there; and they went on and on and on from there to the copper realm, and took this maiden with them as well. And then they came to the hole through which they were to climb out. The rope ladder stood all ready, and there there stood the elder brothers, who were looking for him. Iváshko tied the maiden out of