×

We use cookies to help make LingQ better. By visiting the site, you agree to our cookie policy.


image

The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang, How the Hermit Helped to Win the King's Daughter

How the Hermit Helped to Win the King's Daughter

Long ago there lived a very rich man who had three sons. When he felt himself to be dying he divided his property between them, making them share alike, both in money and lands. Soon after he died the king set forth a proclamation through the whole country that whoever could build a ship that should float both on land and sea should have his daughter to wife.

The eldest brother, when he heard it, said to the other, 'I think I will spend some of my money in trying to build that ship, as I should like to have the king for my father-in-law.' So he called together all the shipbuilders in the land, and gave them orders to begin the ship without delay. And trees were cut down, and great preparations made, and in a few days everybody knew what it was all for; and there was a crowd of old people pressing round the gates of the yard, where the young man spent the most of his day.

'Ah, master, give us work,' they said, 'so that we may earn our bread.' But he only gave them hard words, and spoke roughly to them. 'You are old, and have lost your strength; of what use are you?' And he drove them away. Then came some boys and prayed him, "master, give us work,' but he answered them, 'Of what use can you be, weaklings as you are! Get you gone!' And if any presented themselves that were not skilled workmen he would have none of them.

At last there knocked at the gate a little old man with a long white beard, and said, 'Will you give me work, so that I may earn my bread?' But he was only driven away like the rest.

The ship took a long while to build, and cost a great deal of money, and when it was launched a sudden squall rose, and it fell to pieces, and with it all the young man's hopes of winning the princess. By this time he had not a penny left, so he went back to his two brothers and told his tale. And the second brother said to himself as he listened, 'Certainly he has managed very badly, but I should like to see if I can't do better, and win the princess for my own self.' So he called together all the shipbuilders throughout the country, and gave them orders to build a ship which should float on the land as well as on the sea. But his heart was no softer than his brother's, and every man that was not a skilled workman was chased away with hard words. Last came the white-bearded man, but he fared no better than the rest.

When the ship was finished the launch took place, and everything seemed going smoothly when a gale sprang up, and the vessel was dashed to pieces on the rocks. The young man had spent his whole fortune on it, and now it was all swallowed up, was forced to beg shelter from his youngest brother. When he told his story the youngest said to himself, 'I am not rich enough to support us all three. I had better take my turn, and if I manage to win the princess there will be her fortune as well as my own for us to live on.' So he called together all the shipbuilders in the kingdom, and gave orders that a new ship should be built. Then all the old people came and asked for work, and he answered cheerfully, 'Oh, yes, there is plenty for everybody;' and when the boys begged to be allowed to help he found something that they could do. And when the old man with the long white beard stood before him, praying that he might earn his bread, he replied, 'Oh, father, I could not suffer you to work, but you shall be overseer, and look after the rest.' Now the old man was a holy hermit, and when he saw how kind-hearted the youth was he determined to do all he could for him to gain the wish of his heart.

By-and-bye, when the ship was finished, the hermit said to his young friend, 'Now you can go and claim the king's daughter, for hte ship will float both by land and sea.' 'Oh, good father,' cried the young man, 'you will not forsake me? Stay with me, I pray you, and lead me to the king!' 'If you wish it, I will,' said the hermit, 'on condition that you will give me half of anything you get.' 'Oh, if that is all,' answered he, 'it is easily promised!' And they set out together on the ship.

After they had gone some distance they saw a man standing in a thick fog, which he was trying to put into a sack.

'Oh, good father,' exclaimed the youth, 'what can he be doing?' 'Ask him,' said the old man. 'What are you doing, my fine fellow?' 'I am putting the fog into my sack. That is my business.' 'Ask him if he will come with us,' whispered the hermit. And the man answered: 'If you will give me enough to eat and drink I will gladly stay with you.' So they took him on their ship, and the youth said, as they started off again, 'Good father, before we were two, and now we are three!' After they had travelled a little further they met a man who had torn up half the forest, and was carrying all the trees on his shoulders.

'Good father,' exclaimed the youth, 'only look! What can he have done that for?' 'Ask him why he has torn up all those trees.' And the man replied, 'Why, I've merely been gathering a handful of brushwood.' 'Beg him to come with us,' whispered the hermit. And the strong man answered: 'Willingly, as long as you give me enough to eat and drink.' And he came on the ship.

And the youth said to the hermit, 'Good father, before we were three, and now we are four.' The ship travelled on again, and some miles further on they saw a man drinking out of a stream till he had nearly drunk it dry.

'Good father,' said the youth, 'just look at that man! Did you ever see anybody drink like that?' 'Ask him why he does it,' answered the hermit. 'Why, there is nothing very odd in taking a mouthful of water!' replied the man, standing up.

'Beg him to come with us.' And the youth did so.

'With pleasure, as long as you give me enough to eat and drink.' And the youth whispered to the hermit, 'Good father, before we were four, and now we are five.' A little way along they noticed another man in the middle of a stream, who was shooting into the water.

'Good father,' said the youth, 'what can he be shooting at?' 'Ask him,' answered the hermit. 'Hush, hush!' cried the man; 'now you have frightened it away. In the Underworld sits a quail on a tree, and I wanted to shoot it. That is my business. I hit everything I aim at.' 'Ask him if he will come with us.' And the man replied, 'With all my heart, as long as I get enough to eat and drink.' So they took him into the ship, and the young man whispered, 'Good father, before we were five, and now we are six.' Off they went again, and before they had gone far they met a man striding towards them whose steps were so long that while one foot was on the north of the island the other was right down in the south.

'Good father, look at him! What long steps he takes!' 'Ask him why he does it,' replied the hermit. 'Oh, I am only going out for a little walk,' answered he. 'Ask him if he will come with us.' 'Gladly, if you will give me as much as I want to eat and drink,' said he, climbing up into the ship. And the young man whispered, 'Good father, before we were six, and now we are seven.' But the hermit knew what he was about, and why he gathered these strange people into the ship.

After many days, at last they reached the town where lived the king and his daughter. They stopped the vessel right in front of the palace, and the young man went in and bowed low before the king.

'O Majesty, I have done your bidding, and now is the ship built that can travel over land and sea. Give me my reward, and let me have your daughter to wife.' But the king said to himself, 'What! am I to wed my daughter to a man of whom I know nothing. Not even whether he be rich or poor—a knight or a beggar.' And aloud he spake: It is not enough that you have managed to build the ship. You must find a runner who shall take this letter to the ruler of the Underworld, and bring me the answer back in an hour.' 'That is not in the bond,' answered the young man. 'Well, do as you like,' replied the king, 'only you will not get my daughter.' The young man went out, sorely troubled, to tell his old friend what had happened.

'Silly boy!' cried the hermit, 'Accept his terms at once. And send off the long-legged man with the letter. He will take it in no time at all.' So the youth's heard leapt for joy, and he returned to the king. 'Majesty, I accept your terms. HEre is the messenger who will do what you wish.' The king had no choice but to give the man the letter, and he strode off, making short work of the distance that lay between the palace and the Underworld. He soon found the ruler, who looked at the letter, and said to him, 'Wait a little while i write the answer;' but the man was soo tired with his quick walk that he went sound asleep and forgot all about his errand. All this time the youth was anxiously counting the minutes till he could get back, and stood with his eyes fixed on the road down which his messenger must come.

'What can be keeping him,' he said to the hermit when the hour was nearly up. Then the hermit sent for the man who could hit everything he aimed at, and said to him, 'Just see why the messenger stays so long.' 'Oh, he is sound asleep in the palace of the Underworld. However, I can wake him.' Then he drew his bow, and shot an arrow straight into the man's knee. The messenger awoke with such a start, and when he saw that the hour had almost run out he snatched up the answer and rushed back with such speed that the clock had not yet struck when he entered the palace.

Now the young man thought he was sure of his bride, but the king said, "Still you have not done enough. Before I give you my daughter you must find a man who can drink half the contents of my cellar in one day.' 'That is not in the bond,' complained the poor youth. 'Well, do as you like, only you will not get my daughter.' The young man went sadly out, and asked the hermit what he was to do.

'Silly boy!' said he. 'Why, tell the man to do it who drinks up everything.' So they sent for the man and said, 'Do you think you are able to drink half the royal cellar in one day?' 'Dear me, yes, and as much more as you want,' answered he. 'I am never satisfied.' The king was not pleased at the young man agreeing so readily, but he had no choice, and ordered the servant to be taken downstairs. Oh, how he enjoyed himself! All day long he drank, and drank, and drank, till instead of half the cellar, he had drunk the whole, and there was not a cask but what stood empty. And when the king saw this he said to the youth, 'You have conquered, and I can no longer withhold my daughter. But, as her dowry, I shall only give so much as one man can carry away.' 'But,' answered he, 'let a man be ever so strong, he cannot carry more than a hundredweight, and what is that for a king's daughter?' 'Well, do as you like; I have said my say. It is your affair—not mine.' The young man was puzzled, and did not know what to reply, for, though he would gladly have married the princess without a sixpence, he had spent all his money in building the ship, and knew he could not give her all she wanted. So he went to the hermit and said to him, 'The king will only give for her dowry as much as a man can carry. I have no money of my own left, and my brothers have none either.' 'Silly boy! Why, you have only got to fetch the man who carried half the forest on his shoulders.' And the youth was glad, and called the strong man, and told him what he must do. 'Take everything you can, till you are bent double. Never mind if you leave the palace bare.' The strong man promised, and nobly kept his word. He piled all he could see on his back—chairs, tables, wardrobes, chests of gold and silver—till there was nothing left to pile. At last he took the king's crown, and put it on the top. He carried his burden to the ship and stowed his treasures away, and the youth followed, leading the king's daughter. But the king was left raging in his empty palace, and he called together his army, and got ready his ships of war, in order that he might go after the vessel and bring back what had been taken away.

And the king's ships sailed very fast, and soon caught up the little vessel, and the sailors all shouted for joy. Then the hermit looked out and saw how near they were, and he said to the youth, 'Do you see that?' The youth shrieked and cried, 'Ah, good father, it is a fleet of ships, and they are chasing us, and in a few moments they will be upon us.' But the hermit bade him call the man who had the fog in his sack, and the sack was opened and the fog flew out, and hung right round the king's ships, so that they could see nothing. So they sailed back to the palace, and told the king what strange things had happened. Meanwhile the young man's vessel reached home in safety. 'Well, here you are once more' said the hermit; 'and now you can fulfil the promise you made me to give me the half of all you had.' 'That will I do with all my heart,' answered the youth, and began to divide all his treasures, putting part on one side for himself and setting aside the other for his friend. 'Good father, it is finished,' said he at length; 'there is nothing more left to divide.' 'Nothing more left!' cried the hermit. 'Why, you have forgotten the best thing of all!' 'What can that be?' asked he. 'We have divided everything.' 'And the king's daughter?' said the hermit.

Then the young man's heart stood still, for he loved her dearly. But he answered, 'It is well; I have sworn, and I will keep my word,' and drew his sword to cut her in pieces. When the hermit saw that he held his honour dearer than his wife he lifted his hand and cried, 'Hold! she is yours, and all the treasures too. I gave you my help because you had pity on those that were in need. And when you are in need yourself, call upon me, and I will come to you.' As he spoke he softly touched their heads and vanished.

The next day the wedding took place, and the two brothers came to the house, and they all lived happily together, but they never forgot the holy man who had been such a good friend.


How the Hermit Helped to Win the King's Daughter Jak poustevník pomohl získat královu dceru

Long ago there lived a very rich man who had three sons. Kdysi dávno žil jeden velmi bohatý muž, který měl tři syny. When he felt himself to be dying he divided his property between them, making them share alike, both in money and lands. Když cítil, že umírá, rozdělil mezi ně svůj majetek a nechal je dělit se o peníze i pozemky. Soon after he died the king set forth a proclamation through the whole country that whoever could build a ship that should float both on land and sea should have his daughter to wife. Brzy po jeho smrti vyhlásil král po celé zemi, že kdo dokáže postavit loď, která se bude plavit po souši i po moři, dostane jeho dceru za ženu.

The eldest brother, when he heard it, said to the other, 'I think I will spend some of my money in trying to build that ship, as I should like to have the king for my father-in-law.' Nejstarší bratr, když to uslyšel, řekl druhému: "Myslím, že utratím část svých peněz, abych se pokusil postavit tu loď, protože bych chtěl mít krále za tchána. So he called together all the shipbuilders in the land, and gave them orders to begin the ship without delay. Svolal tedy všechny stavitele lodí v zemi a nařídil jim, aby neprodleně začali stavět loď. Поэтому он собрал всех корабелов в стране и дал им приказ начать корабль без промедления And trees were cut down, and great preparations made, and in a few days everybody knew what it was all for; and there was a crowd of old people pressing round the gates of the yard, where the young man spent the most of his day. Kácely se stromy, dělaly se velké přípravy a za pár dní už všichni věděli, k čemu to všechno je, a kolem bran dvora, kde mladík trávil většinu dne, se tlačily davy starých lidí.

'Ah, master, give us work,' they said, 'so that we may earn our bread.' "Ach, pane, dejte nám práci," řekli, "ať si vyděláme na chleba. But he only gave them hard words, and spoke roughly to them. Ale on jim řekl jen tvrdá slova a mluvil s nimi hrubě. 'You are old, and have lost your strength; of what use are you?' "Jsi starý a ztratil jsi sílu; k čemu jsi? And he drove them away. A vyhnal je. Then came some boys and prayed him, "master, give us work,' but he answered them, 'Of what use can you be, weaklings as you are! Tehdy k němu přišlo několik chlapců a prosili ho: "Mistře, dej nám práci!" On jim však odpověděl: "K čemu vám to bude, takoví slaboši, jako jste vy! Get you gone!' Odejděte! And if any presented themselves that were not skilled workmen he would have none of them. A pokud se objevil někdo, kdo nebyl zkušený dělník, nechtěl ho.

At last there knocked at the gate a little old man with a long white beard, and said, 'Will you give me work, so that I may earn my bread?' Nakonec na bránu zaklepal malý stařík s dlouhým bílým vousem a řekl: "Dáš mi práci, abych si vydělal na chleba? But he was only driven away like the rest. Ale byl jen vyhnán jako ostatní.

The ship took a long while to build, and cost a great deal of money, and when it was launched a sudden squall rose, and it fell to pieces, and with it all the young man's hopes of winning the princess. Stavba lodi trvala dlouho a stála spoustu peněz, a když byla spuštěna na vodu, zvedla se náhlá bouře, loď se rozpadla a s ní i všechny mladíkovy naděje na získání princezny. By this time he had not a penny left, so he went back to his two brothers and told his tale. To už mu nezbyl ani halíř, a tak se vrátil ke svým dvěma bratrům a vyprávěl jim svůj příběh. And the second brother said to himself as he listened, 'Certainly he has managed very badly, but I should like to see if I can't do better, and win the princess for my own self.' Druhý bratr si při poslechu řekl: "Jistě se mu to povedlo velmi špatně, ale rád bych zjistil, jestli si nemohu vést lépe a získat princeznu pro sebe. So he called together all the shipbuilders throughout the country, and gave them orders to build a ship which should float on the land as well as on the sea. Svolal tedy všechny loďaře v celé zemi a nařídil jim, aby postavili loď, která by plula jak po souši, tak po moři. But his heart was no softer than his brother's, and every man that was not a skilled workman was chased away with hard words. Jeho srdce však nebylo o nic měkčí než srdce jeho bratra a každého, kdo nebyl zručný dělník, odháněl tvrdými slovy. Last came the white-bearded man, but he fared no better than the rest. Jako poslední přišel bělovousý muž, ale ani on nedopadl lépe než ostatní.

When the ship was finished the launch took place, and everything seemed going smoothly when a gale sprang up, and the vessel was dashed to pieces on the rocks. Když byla loď dokončena, došlo ke spuštění na vodu a zdálo se, že vše půjde hladce, když se zvedla vichřice a plavidlo se roztříštilo o skály. The young man had spent his whole fortune on it, and now it was all swallowed up, was forced to beg shelter from his youngest brother. Mladý muž za něj utratil celé své jmění a nyní, když ho celé pohltil, byl nucen prosit o přístřeší svého nejmladšího bratra. When he told his story the youngest said to himself, 'I am not rich enough to support us all three. Když vyprávěl svůj příběh, nejmladší z nich si řekl: "Nejsem tak bohatý, abych nás všechny tři uživil. I had better take my turn, and if I manage to win the princess there will be her fortune as well as my own for us to live on.' Raději se o to postarám já, a pokud se mi podaří získat princeznu, budeme žít nejen z jejího, ale i z mého jmění. So he called together all the shipbuilders in the kingdom, and gave orders that a new ship should be built. Svolal tedy všechny stavitele lodí v království a nařídil, aby byla postavena nová loď. Then all the old people came and asked for work, and he answered cheerfully, 'Oh, yes, there is plenty for everybody;' and when the boys begged to be allowed to help he found something that they could do. Pak přišli všichni staří lidé a ptali se po práci a on jim vesele odpovídal: "Ano, pro každého je jí dost." A když chlapci prosili, aby jim dovolil pomáhat, našel něco, co mohli dělat. And when the old man with the long white beard stood before him, praying that he might earn his bread, he replied, 'Oh, father, I could not suffer you to work, but you shall be overseer, and look after the rest.' Když před ním stál stařec s dlouhým bílým vousem a prosil ho, aby si mohl vydělat na chleba, odpověděl: "Ach, otče, nemohl jsem ti dovolit pracovat, ale budeš dohlížet a starat se o ostatní. Now the old man was a holy hermit, and when he saw how kind-hearted the youth was he determined to do all he could for him to gain the wish of his heart. Stařec byl svatý poustevník, a když viděl, jak je mladík dobrosrdečný, rozhodl se udělat pro něj vše, co bude moci, aby splnil přání jeho srdce.

By-and-bye, when the ship was finished, the hermit said to his young friend, 'Now you can go and claim the king's daughter, for hte ship will float both by land and sea.' Když byla loď hotová, řekl poustevník svému mladému příteli: "Teď můžeš jít a požádat o královu dceru, protože loď bude plout po souši i po moři. 'Oh, good father,' cried the young man, 'you will not forsake me? "Ach, dobrý otče," zvolal mladík, "snad mě neopustíš? Stay with me, I pray you, and lead me to the king!' Zůstaň se mnou a doveď mě ke králi! 'If you wish it, I will,' said the hermit, 'on condition that you will give me half of anything you get.' "Jestli si to přeješ, udělám to," řekl poustevník, "pod podmínkou, že mi dáš polovinu všeho, co získáš. 'Oh, if that is all,' answered he, 'it is easily promised!' "Ach, jestli je to všechno," odpověděl, "tak je to snadno slíbitelné! And they set out together on the ship. Společně se vydali na loď.

After they had gone some distance they saw a man standing in a thick fog, which he was trying to put into a sack. Když ušli nějakou vzdálenost, uviděli muže stojícího v husté mlze, kterou se snažil vložit do pytle.

'Oh, good father,' exclaimed the youth, 'what can he be doing?' "Ach, dobrý otče," zvolal mladík, "co to dělá? 'Ask him,' said the old man. "Zeptej se ho," řekl stařec. 'What are you doing, my fine fellow?' "Co to děláte, milý příteli? 'I am putting the fog into my sack. "Dávám si mlhu do pytle. That is my business.' To je moje věc. 'Ask him if he will come with us,' whispered the hermit. "Zeptej se ho, jestli půjde s námi," zašeptal poustevník. And the man answered: 'If you will give me enough to eat and drink I will gladly stay with you.' Muž odpověděl: "Dáš-li mi najíst a napít, rád u tebe zůstanu. So they took him on their ship, and the youth said, as they started off again, 'Good father, before we were two, and now we are three!' Vzali ho tedy na svou loď, a když se opět rozjížděli, mladík řekl: "Dobrý otče, předtím jsme byli dva a teď jsme tři! After they had travelled a little further they met a man who had torn up half the forest, and was carrying all the trees on his shoulders. Když se vydali o kousek dál, potkali muže, který vytrhal polovinu lesa a všechny stromy nesl na ramenou.

'Good father,' exclaimed the youth, 'only look! "Dobrý otče," zvolal mladík, "jen se podívej! What can he have done that for?' Proč to mohl udělat? 'Ask him why he has torn up all those trees.' "Zeptejte se ho, proč vytrhal všechny ty stromy. And the man replied, 'Why, I've merely been gathering a handful of brushwood.' Muž odpověděl: "Vždyť jsem jen nasbíral hrst dříví. 'Beg him to come with us,' whispered the hermit. "Popros ho, aby šel s námi," zašeptal poustevník. And the strong man answered: 'Willingly, as long as you give me enough to eat and drink.' Silák odpověděl: "Rád, pokud mi dáš dost jíst a pít. And he came on the ship. Přišel na loď.

And the youth said to the hermit, 'Good father, before we were three, and now we are four.' A mladík řekl poustevníkovi: "Dobrý otče, předtím jsme byli tři a teď jsme čtyři. The ship travelled on again, and some miles further on they saw a man drinking out of a stream till he had nearly drunk it dry. Loď opět pokračovala v cestě a o několik mil dál uviděli muže, který pil z potoka, až ho téměř vypil.

'Good father,' said the youth, 'just look at that man! "Dobrý otče," řekl mladík, "podívej se na toho muže! Did you ever see anybody drink like that?' Viděl jsi někdy někoho takhle pít? 'Ask him why he does it,' answered the hermit. "Zeptej se ho, proč to dělá," odpověděl poustevník. 'Why, there is nothing very odd in taking a mouthful of water!' "Vždyť na tom není nic divného, když se napijete vody! replied the man, standing up. odpověděl muž a vstal.

'Beg him to come with us.' "Popros ho, aby šel s námi. And the youth did so. A mládež tak učinila.

'With pleasure, as long as you give me enough to eat and drink.' "S radostí, pokud mi dáte dost jídla a pití. And the youth whispered to the hermit, 'Good father, before we were four, and now we are five.' A mladík pošeptal poustevníkovi: "Dobrý otče, předtím jsme byli čtyři a teď je nás pět. A little way along they noticed another man in the middle of a stream, who was shooting into the water. Kousek dál si všimli dalšího muže uprostřed potoka, který střílel do vody.

'Good father,' said the youth, 'what can he be shooting at?' "Dobrý otče," řekl mladík, "na co může střílet? 'Ask him,' answered the hermit. "Zeptej se ho," odpověděl poustevník. 'Hush, hush!' "Ticho, ticho! cried the man; 'now you have frightened it away. zvolal muž, "teď jsi ho vyplašil. In the Underworld sits a quail on a tree, and I wanted to shoot it. V Podsvětí sedí na stromě křepelka a já ji chtěl zastřelit. That is my business. To je moje věc. I hit everything I aim at.' Trefím vše, na co mířím. 'Ask him if he will come with us.' "Zeptejte se ho, jestli půjde s námi. And the man replied, 'With all my heart, as long as I get enough to eat and drink.' Muž odpověděl: "Z celého srdce, jen když budu mít co jíst a pít. So they took him into the ship, and the young man whispered, 'Good father, before we were five, and now we are six.' Vzali ho tedy na loď a mladík zašeptal: "Dobrý otče, předtím nás bylo pět a teď je nás šest. Off they went again, and before they had gone far they met a man striding towards them whose steps were so long that while one foot was on the north of the island the other was right down in the south. Znovu se vydali na cestu, a než došli daleko, potkali muže, který k nim kráčel tak dlouhými kroky, že zatímco jedna noha byla na severu ostrova, druhá byla přímo dole na jihu.

'Good father, look at him! "Dobrý otče, podívejte se na něj! What long steps he takes!' 'Ask him why he does it,' replied the hermit. "Zeptej se ho, proč to dělá," odpověděl poustevník. 'Oh, I am only going out for a little walk,' answered he. "Ach, jdu se jen trochu projít," odpověděl. 'Ask him if he will come with us.' "Zeptejte se ho, jestli půjde s námi. 'Gladly, if you will give me as much as I want to eat and drink,' said he, climbing up into the ship. "Rád, když mi dáte tolik jídla a pití, kolik budu chtít," řekl a nastoupil na loď. And the young man whispered, 'Good father, before we were six, and now we are seven.' A mladík zašeptal: "Dobrý otče, předtím nás bylo šest a teď je nás sedm. But the hermit knew what he was about, and why he gathered these strange people into the ship. Poustevník však věděl, o co mu jde a proč shromáždil tyto podivné lidi na lodi.

After many days, at last they reached the town where lived the king and his daughter. Po mnoha dnech konečně dorazili do města, kde žil král a jeho dcera. They stopped the vessel right in front of the palace, and the young man went in and bowed low before the king. Zastavili loď přímo před palácem, mladík vstoupil dovnitř a poklonil se králi.

'O Majesty, I have done your bidding, and now is the ship built that can travel over land and sea. "Veličenstvo, splnil jsem tvůj rozkaz a nyní je postavena loď, která může cestovat po souši i po moři. Give me my reward, and let me have your daughter to wife.' Dej mi odměnu a nech mi svou dceru za ženu. But the king said to himself, 'What! Král si však řekl: "Cože! am I to wed my daughter to a man of whom I know nothing. mám provdat svou dceru za muže, o němž nic nevím. Not even whether he be rich or poor—a knight or a beggar.' Dokonce ani to, zda je bohatý nebo chudý - rytíř nebo žebrák. And aloud he spake: It is not enough that you have managed to build the ship. A hlasitě promluvil: To, že se ti podařilo postavit loď, nestačí. You must find a runner who shall take this letter to the ruler of the Underworld, and bring me the answer back in an hour.' Musíš najít běžce, který odnese tento dopis vládci podsvětí a do hodiny mi přinese odpověď. 'That is not in the bond,' answered the young man. "To není ve smlouvě," odpověděl mladík. 'Well, do as you like,' replied the king, 'only you will not get my daughter.' "Dobrá, dělej, co chceš," odpověděl král, "jen mou dceru nedostaneš. The young man went out, sorely troubled, to tell his old friend what had happened. Mladý muž vyšel ven, aby svému starému příteli sdělil, co se stalo.

'Silly boy!' "Hlupáku! cried the hermit, 'Accept his terms at once. zvolal poustevník: "Okamžitě přijměte jeho podmínky. And send off the long-legged man with the letter. A pošlete toho dlouhonohého muže s dopisem pryč. He will take it in no time at all.' Vezme si ji v krátké době. So the youth's heard leapt for joy, and he returned to the king. A tak mladík uslyšel radost a vrátil se ke králi. 'Majesty, I accept your terms. "Výsosti, přijímám vaše podmínky. HEre is the messenger who will do what you wish.' Zde je posel, který udělá, co si přejete. The king had no choice but to give the man the letter, and he strode off, making short work of the distance that lay between the palace and the Underworld. Král neměl jinou možnost, než mu dopis předat, a tak se vydal pryč a vzdálenost mezi palácem a Podsvětím překonal rychle. He soon found the ruler, who looked at the letter, and said to him, 'Wait a little while i write the answer;' but the man was soo tired with his quick walk that he went sound asleep and forgot all about his errand. Brzy našel vládce, který si dopis prohlédl a řekl mu: "Počkej chvíli, napíšu odpověď." Muž byl však rychlou chůzí tak unavený, že tvrdě usnul a na svou pochůzku zapomněl. All this time the youth was anxiously counting the minutes till he could get back, and stood with his eyes fixed on the road down which his messenger must come. Mladík po celou tu dobu s obavami počítal minuty, které mu zbývaly do návratu, a s očima upřenýma na cestu, po níž měl přijít jeho posel.

'What can be keeping him,' he said to the hermit when the hour was nearly up. "Co ho zdržuje," řekl poustevníkovi, když se blížila hodina. Then the hermit sent for the man who could hit everything he aimed at, and said to him, 'Just see why the messenger stays so long.' Poustevník pak poslal pro muže, který dokázal zasáhnout vše, na co zamířil, a řekl mu: "Jen se podívej, proč se posel zdržuje tak dlouho. 'Oh, he is sound asleep in the palace of the Underworld. "Ach, on tvrdě spí v paláci podsvětí. However, I can wake him.' Mohu ho však probudit. Then he drew his bow, and shot an arrow straight into the man's knee. Pak natáhl luk a vystřelil šíp přímo do mužova kolena. The messenger awoke with such a start, and when he saw that the hour had almost run out he snatched up the answer and rushed back with such speed that the clock had not yet struck when he entered the palace. Posel se probudil s takovou vervou, a když viděl, že hodina už téměř vypršela, popadl odpověď a spěchal zpátky takovou rychlostí, že hodiny ještě neodbíjely, když vcházel do paláce.

Now the young man thought he was sure of his bride, but the king said, "Still you have not done enough. Mladík si myslel, že má svou nevěstu jistou, ale král řekl: "Ještě jsi neudělal dost. Before I give you my daughter you must find a man who can drink half the contents of my cellar in one day.' Než ti dám svou dceru, musíš najít muže, který dokáže vypít polovinu obsahu mého sklepa za jediný den. 'That is not in the bond,' complained the poor youth. "To není ve smlouvě," stěžoval si ubohý mladík. 'Well, do as you like, only you will not get my daughter.' "Dobře, dělejte si, co chcete, jen mou dceru nedostanete. The young man went sadly out, and asked the hermit what he was to do. Mladík smutně vyšel ven a zeptal se poustevníka, co má dělat.

'Silly boy!' "Hlupáku! said he. řekl. 'Why, tell the man to do it who drinks up everything.' "Proč, řekni to tomu, kdo všechno vypije? So they sent for the man and said, 'Do you think you are able to drink half the royal cellar in one day?' Poslali tedy pro toho muže a zeptali se ho: "Myslíš, že jsi schopen vypít polovinu královského sklepa za jediný den? 'Dear me, yes, and as much more as you want,' answered he. "Milý pane, ano, a ještě tolik, kolik budete chtít," odpověděl. 'I am never satisfied.' "Nikdy nejsem spokojený. The king was not pleased at the young man agreeing so readily, but he had no choice, and ordered the servant to be taken downstairs. Králi se nelíbilo, že mladík tak ochotně souhlasí, ale neměl na vybranou a nařídil, aby sluhu odvedli dolů. Oh, how he enjoyed himself! Jak si to užíval! All day long he drank, and drank, and drank, till instead of half the cellar, he had drunk the whole, and there was not a cask but what stood empty. Celý den pil a pil a pil, až místo poloviny sklepa vypil celý a nezbyl ani jeden sud, který stál prázdný. And when the king saw this he said to the youth, 'You have conquered, and I can no longer withhold my daughter. Když to král uviděl, řekl mladíkovi: "Zvítězil jsi a já už ti nemohu svou dceru odepřít. But, as her dowry, I shall only give so much as one man can carry away.' Ale jako věno jí dám jen tolik, kolik může odnést jeden muž. 'But,' answered he, 'let a man be ever so strong, he cannot carry more than a hundredweight, and what is that for a king's daughter?' "Ale," odpověděl, "ať je člověk sebevíc silný, neunese víc než sto kilo, a co je to pro královskou dceru? 'Well, do as you like; I have said my say. "Dobře, dělejte, co chcete, já jsem své řekl. It is your affair—not mine.' Je to vaše věc, ne moje. The young man was puzzled, and did not know what to reply, for, though he would gladly have married the princess without a sixpence, he had spent all his money in building the ship, and knew he could not give her all she wanted. Mladík byl zmatený a nevěděl, co má odpovědět, protože ačkoli by si princeznu rád vzal i bez šestipence, utratil všechny své peníze za stavbu lodi a věděl, že jí nemůže dát všechno, co si přeje. So he went to the hermit and said to him, 'The king will only give for her dowry as much as a man can carry. Šel tedy k poustevníkovi a řekl mu: "Král dá za její věno jen tolik, kolik člověk unese. I have no money of my own left, and my brothers have none either.' Já už nemám žádné vlastní peníze a moji bratři také ne. 'Silly boy! Why, you have only got to fetch the man who carried half the forest on his shoulders.' Vždyť stačí přivést muže, který nesl na ramenou půl lesa. And the youth was glad, and called the strong man, and told him what he must do. Mladík se zaradoval, zavolal siláka a řekl mu, co má udělat. 'Take everything you can, till you are bent double. "Vezmi si všechno, co můžeš, dokud nebudeš dvakrát ohnutý. Never mind if you leave the palace bare.' Nevadí, když necháte palác holý. The strong man promised, and nobly kept his word. Silák slíbil a své slovo šlechetně dodržel. He piled all he could see on his back—chairs, tables, wardrobes, chests of gold and silver—till there was nothing left to pile. Na svá záda navršil všechno, co viděl - židle, stoly, skříně, truhly se zlatem a stříbrem -, dokud už nebylo co navršit. At last he took the king's crown, and put it on the top. Nakonec vzal královskou korunu a nasadil ji na vrchol. He carried his burden to the ship and stowed his treasures away, and the youth followed, leading the king's daughter. Odnesl své břemeno na loď a uložil své poklady, mladík ho následoval a vedl královu dceru. But the king was left raging in his empty palace, and he called together his army, and got ready his ships of war, in order that he might go after the vessel and bring back what had been taken away. Král však zůstal zuřit ve svém prázdném paláci, svolal své vojsko a připravil válečné lodě, aby se mohl vydat za lodí a přivézt zpět, co bylo odvezeno.

And the king's ships sailed very fast, and soon caught up the little vessel, and the sailors all shouted for joy. Královské lodě pluly velmi rychle, brzy dostihly malou loď a všichni námořníci křičeli radostí. Then the hermit looked out and saw how near they were, and he said to the youth, 'Do you see that?' Poustevník vyhlédl ven, uviděl, jak jsou blízko, a řekl mladíkovi: "Vidíš to? The youth shrieked and cried, 'Ah, good father, it is a fleet of ships, and they are chasing us, and in a few moments they will be upon us.' Mladík vykřikl: "Ach, dobrý otče, je to flotila lodí, pronásledují nás a za chvíli budou u nás. But the hermit bade him call the man who had the fog in his sack, and the sack was opened and the fog flew out, and hung right round the king's ships, so that they could see nothing. Ale poustevník mu přikázal, aby zavolal muže, který měl mlhu v pytli, a pytel se otevřel a mlha vyletěla ven a visela přímo kolem královských lodí, takže nic neviděly. So they sailed back to the palace, and told the king what strange things had happened. Vrátili se tedy do paláce a vyprávěli králi, co se stalo podivného. Meanwhile the young man's vessel reached home in safety. Mezitím mladíkova loď dorazila v bezpečí domů. 'Well, here you are once more' said the hermit; 'and now you can fulfil the promise you made me to give me the half of all you had.' "Tak tady jsi zase," řekl poustevník, "a teď můžeš splnit slib, který jsi mi dal, že mi dáš polovinu všeho, co jsi měl. 'That will I do with all my heart,' answered the youth, and began to divide all his treasures, putting part on one side for himself and setting aside the other for his friend. "To udělám z celého srdce," odpověděl mladík a začal rozdělovat všechny své poklady, část dal na jednu stranu pro sebe a druhou odložil pro svého přítele. 'Good father, it is finished,' said he at length; 'there is nothing more left to divide.' "Dobrý otče, je to hotovo," řekl nakonec, "už není co dělit. 'Nothing more left!' "Už nic nezbylo! cried the hermit. 'Why, you have forgotten the best thing of all!' "Zapomněl jsi na to nejlepší ze všeho! 'What can that be?' "Co to může být? asked he. 'We have divided everything.' "Všechno jsme si rozdělili. 'And the king's daughter?' "A královská dcera? said the hermit.

Then the young man's heart stood still, for he loved her dearly. Tehdy se mladíkovo srdce zastavilo, protože ji velmi miloval. But he answered, 'It is well; I have sworn, and I will keep my word,' and drew his sword to cut her in pieces. On však odpověděl: "Dobře, přísahal jsem a své slovo dodržím," a vytasil meč, aby ji rozsekal na kusy. When the hermit saw that he held his honour dearer than his wife he lifted his hand and cried, 'Hold! Když poustevník viděl, že je mu jeho čest dražší než jeho žena, zvedl ruku a zvolal: "Stůj! she is yours, and all the treasures too. je tvoje a všechny poklady také. I gave you my help because you had pity on those that were in need. Poskytl jsem ti svou pomoc, protože jsi měl soucit s těmi, kdo byli v nouzi. And when you are in need yourself, call upon me, and I will come to you.' A když budeš sám v nouzi, zavolej mě a já přijdu k tobě. As he spoke he softly touched their heads and vanished. Při řeči se jemně dotkl jejich hlav a zmizel.

The next day the wedding took place, and the two brothers came to the house, and they all lived happily together, but they never forgot the holy man who had been such a good friend. Druhý den se konala svatba, oba bratři přišli do domu a všichni spolu žili šťastně, ale nikdy nezapomněli na svatého muže, který jim byl tak dobrým přítelem.