Page:The Way of a Virgin.djvu/154

THE WAY OF A VIRGIN. "'Tis here perchance I shall find fortune," quoth he. "I will enter the castle and seek service within."

But all the offices were filled. Going forth, he encountered the owner of the castle who was king of the countryside, and at his request the youth related his purpose in coming to this domain.

Quoth the king:

"Employment I have none to offer thee in my palace; but I have a better proposal to make. I have a daughter of the like not seen elsewhere on earth. She pisseth over the most lofty houses. All the physicians I have summoned cannot cure her, and it is a sad pity, for she is of surpassing beauty. If thou canst prevent her from pissing over the haycocks which thou shalt erect, thy fortune is made. I will give her to thee in marriage. If thou failest, thou shalt go join in their prison those imbeciles of physicians and charlatans who have already sought to succeed in this my proposal. Thou dost understand? See then if thou believest thyself capable of this achievement."

The youth, having taken counsel with himself for several moments, accepted the king's proposal. This latter, leading him within the palace, set him to dine with his wife and daughter. The Princess was a marvel of beauty, and the peasant could not satiate his eyes of her perfections. He was apportioned a chamber in the castle, what time he awaited the dav of his trial.

On the morrow the young adventurer chose a vast field, and thither caused to be borne five or six hundred loads of hay. Next he took a hundred peasants and set them to erect an enormous 154