Page:Stories of Prince Lupin.pdf/21

21 laid the the king in irons. "Now," said the dwarf, "my rival's fate is in my own hands; however, if he will consent to my marriage he shall have his life and liberty." “No,” said the king, “ I scorn thy favour on such terms;" which so provoked the dwarf, that he instantly stabbed him to the heart. The disconsolate princess, aggravated to the last degree at such barbarity, thus vented her grief:“ Thou hideous creature, since entreaties could not avail thee, perhaps thou now reliest upon force; but thou shalt be disappointed, and thy brutal soul shall know perpetual mortification from the moment I tell thee I die for the love I have for the King of the Golden Mines!” And so saying, she sunk down upon his body, and expired without a sigh.

Thus ended the fate of these two faithful lovers, which the Mermaid very much regretted; but, all her power lying in the sword, she could only change them into two palmtrees; which, preserving a constant mutual affection for each other, caress and unite their branches together.

