Page:Select Popular Tales from the German of Musaeus.djvu/147

Rh them astray, or Mother Druid carefully concealed herself from them; suffice it to say they were unable to find the grotto again, although they traversed the Pyrenees industriously, and had already turned their backs on the strange mountains, and were on the high-road to Leon, before they perceived that they had gone astray. After a general consultation it was agreed to pursue this line of march, and to follow straight after their noses.

The happy trefoil of squires now perceived that they were in possession of three most desirable things, and that if they did not enjoy the greatest earthly happiness, at least, they had the groundwork for the gratification of every wish. The old leathern thumbstall, though not very sightly, had all the properties of the famed ring which Gyges once possessed; the rusty penny was as useful as the purse of Fortunatus; and the table-napkin was invested, also, with the same blessing as the famed miraculous flask of the holy Remigius. In order to assure to themselves the mutual enjoyment of these noble gifts on all occasions, the three companions entered into a compact never to separate, but to use their goods in common.

Meanwhile, each, according to the usual preference for one’s own things, began to boast the superior excellence of his gift, till the wise Sarron demonstrated that his thumbstall united in itself the fulness of all the other miraculous gifts: “To me,” said he, “both cellar and kitchen stand open in the house of epicures; I enjoy the privilege of the house-fly, to eat out of the same dish with the king, without his being able to prevent me; I may also empty the coffers of the rich, and it is even in my power to appropriate all the riches of Hindostan if the journey is not too irksome for me.”

Amid such speeches they arrived at Astorga, where King Garsias of the Asturias held his court, with his daughter, the Princess Urraca, as famous for her beauty as for her coquetry. The court was splendid and the Princess seemed to be a living pattern of her dwelling, in whom, whatever vanity can contribute to the decoration of ladies, was united. In the Pyrenean wastes the desires and passions of the three wanderers had been very limited and moderate; they were satisfied with the gift of the table-napkin, spread it out when they came to a shady tree, and held an open table. Six meals a day were their minimum, and there was not a single delicacy which they did not cause it to serve to them. However, when they entered the capital, tumultuous passions arose in their breasts; they conceived great projects for advancing themselves by their talents, and for rising from the rank of squires to lordly dignities. Unluckily they saw the lovely Urraca, whose charms so enchanted them that they proposed to try their fortune with her. They no sooner perceived the same feelings in each other, than there arose in their hearts a