Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 6 1888.djvu/212

 204 my son! what do you seek for here?" cried she to the prince: "here there is neither bird nor insect to be seen, much less a human being. If your life is dear to you, flee; for, if my son comes, he will devour you." "Nay, old mother! he'll hardly eat me," replied he; "I bring him a greeting from his brother in the silver castle." "Well, if you bring him a greeting from the silver castle, come into the parlour, and tell me what has brought you to us." "What has brought me to you, old mother? I have long been wandering in this mountain-range, and haven't been able to find out where is the glass hill and the three lemons; I was directed to you, because, haply, you might be able to give me information about it." "Where is the glass hill? I cannot tell you that; but stay! when my son comes, he will counsel you which way you must go, and what you must do. Hide yourself under the table, and stay there till I call you."

The mountains echoed, the castle quaked, and Jezibaba's son stepped into the parlour. "Foh! foh! there's a smell of human flesh; I'm going to eat it!" shouted he while still in the doorway, and thumped with a golden club upon the ground, so that the whole castle quaked. "Gently, my son! gently!" said Jezibaba, soothing him; "there is a handsome youth come, who brings you a greeting from your brother in the silver castle. If you will do nothing to him, I will call him at once." "Well, if my brother has done nothing to him, neither will I do anything to him." The prince came out from under the table and placed himself beside him, looking in comparison as if he had placed himself beside a lofty tower, and showed him the silver dumplings in token that he had really been at the silver castle. "Well, tell me, you beetle, what you want?" shouted the monstrous ogre. "If I can counsel you, counsel you I will. Don't fear!" Then the prince explained to him the aim of his long journey, and begged him to advise him which way to go to the glass hill, and what ho must do to obtain the three lemons. "Do you see that black knoll that looms yonder?" said he, pointing with his golden club. "That is the glass hill. On the top of the hill stands a tree, and on the tree hang three lemons, whose scent spreads seven miles round. You will go up the glass hill, kneel under the tree, and hold up your hands. If the lemons are destined for you they will fall off into your hands of