Page:The Russian story book, containing tales from the song-cycles of Kiev and Novgorod and other early sources.djvu/329

 "and if you will not give me your blessing I fear I must marry without it."

"Well, well," said the Tsar, "may all good go with you." Then he was not in the least surprised to see his son step down from the cradle a full-grown youth of goodly shape, call for clothes suitable to his age—they were all ready to hand—and then go forth to the stable. On the way across the courtyard he met an old man who looked at him and said:

"Young man, where are you going?"

"Mind your own business," said the young prince. But when he had gone forward a little he stopped and said to himself, "That was a mistake. Old people know many useful things." So he turned again and went after the old man.

"Stop, stop, grandfather," he said, "what was the question which you put to me? "

"I asked you," said the ancient, "where you were going, and now I add to my question. Are you going there of your own free will or against your will?"

"I am going of my own free will," said the Tsarevich, "and twice as much against my will. I was in my cradle when my father came to me and promised to get me Peerless Beauty as a bride. She is the daughter of three mothers, the granddaughter of three grandmothers, and the sister of nine brothers. So I suppose I must go to seek her."

"You are a courteous youth," said the old man, "and deserve to take advantage of the knowledge of the aged. You cannot go on foot to seek out Peerless