Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/296

280 "Fair Prince, on the charger so gray, Turn thee back! Turn thee back! Or lower thy lance for the fray; Thy head will be forfeit to-day! Dost love life? Then, stranger, I pray, Turn thee back! Turn thee back!"

But he, smiling at the maiden, answered lightly:

"Fair maiden, I come from afar, Sworn conqueror in love and in war! King Sarkap my coming will rue, His head in four pieces I'll hew; Then forth as a bridegroom I'll ride, With you, little maid, as my bride!"

Now when Rasalu replied so gallantly, the maiden looked in his face, and seeing how fair he was, and how brave and strong, she straightway fell in love with him, and would gladly have followed him through the world.

But the other sixty-nine maidens, being jealous, laughed scornfully at her, saying: "Not so fast, oh gallant warrior! If you would marry our sister you must first do