按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
his foot on her and said； old witch； if you do not instantly confess
where my brother is； I will seize you with both my hands and throw
you into the fire。 She was in a great fright； begged for mercy and
said； he and his animals lie in a vault； turned to stone。 Then he
compelled her to go thither with him； threatened her； and said； old
sea…cat； now you shall make my brother and all the human beings lying
here； alive again； or you shall go into the fire。 She took a wand
and touched the stones； and then his brother with his animals came to
life again； and many others； merchants； artisans； and shepherds；
arose； thanked him for their deliverance； and went to their homes。
But when the twin brothers saw each other again； they kissed each
other and rejoiced with all their hearts。 Then they seized the
witch； bound her and laid her on the fire； and when she was burnt the
forest opened of its own accord； and was light and clear； and the
king's palace could be seen at about the distance of a three hours；
walk。
Thereupon the two brothers went home together； and on the way told
each other their histories。 And when the younger said that he was
ruler of the whole country in the king's stead； the other observed；
that I remarked very well； for when I came to the town； and was taken
for you； all royal honors were paid me； the young queen looked on me
as her husband； and I had to eat at her side； and sleep in your bed。
When the other heard that； he became so jealous and angry that he
drew his sword； and struck off his brother's head。 But when he saw
him lying there dead； and saw his red blood flowing； he repented most
violently； my brother delivered me； cried he； and I have killed him
for it； and he bewailed him aloud。 Then his hare came and offered to
go and bring some of the root of life； and bounded away and brought
it while yet there was time； and the dead man was brought to life
again； and knew nothing about the wound。
After this they journeyed onwards； and the younger said； you look
like me； you have royal apparel on as I have； and the animals follow
you as they do me； we will go in by opposite gates； and arrive at the
same time from the two sides in the aged king's presence。 So they
separated； and at the same time came the watchmen from the one door
and from the other； and announced that the young king and the animals
had returned from the chase。
The king said； it is not possible； the gates lie quite a mile apart。
In the meantime； however； the two brothers entered the courtyard of
the palace from opposite sides； and both mounted the steps。 Then the
king said to the daughter； say which is your husband。
Each of them looks exactly like the other； I cannot tell。 Then she
was in great distress； and could not tell； but at last she remembered
the necklace which she had given to the animals； and she sought for
and found her little golden clasp on the lion； and she cried in her
delight； he who is followed by this lion is my true husband。 Then
the young king laughed and said； yes； he is the right one； and they
sat down together to table； and ate and drank； and were merry。 At
night when the young king went to bed； his wife said； why have you
for these last nights always laid a two…edged sword in our bed。 I
thought you had a wish to kill me。 Then he knew how true his brother
had been。