Page:The Russian Garland of Fairy Tales.djvu/45

 "My beloved, you do not love me sincerely, for you have not told me truly where is your death; nevertheless, I am not angry, but love you with my whole heart."

And with these fawning words, she entreated Kashtshei to tell her in truth where was his death.Then he said with a laugh: "Have you any reason for wishing to know? Well, then, out of love I will tell you where it lies: in a certain field there stand three green oaks, and under the roots of the largest oak is a worm, and if ever this worm is found and crushed, that instant I shall die."

When the Tsarevna Darisa heard these words, she went straight to Prince Astrach, and told him how he must go to that field, and seek for the three oaks, dig up the worm under the biggest oak and crush it. So the Prince went forth, and rode on from morning to night, until at length he came to the three green oaks. Then he dug up the worm from the roots of the largest, and having killed it, he returned to the Tsarevna Darisa, and said to her: "Does the deathless Kashtshei still live? I have found the worm, and destroyed it." And she replied, "Kashtshei is still alive."

Then said Prince Astrach, "Go again and ask him right lovingly where is his death." So the Princess went, and said to him with tears: "You