466 THE YELLOW DWARF.

nymphs, and soon dispersed them, and he soon came iin view of
All-Fair, when he exclaimed, “O my princess, behold your
faithful lover !”—“ Faithful lover!” she exclaimed, drawing
herself back : ‘ Did I not see you passing through the air with
a beautiful nymph? were you faithful then ?”—* Yes,” replied
the king, “I was. ‘That was the detested Desert Fairy, who
was carrying me to a place where I must have languished out
all my days, had it not been for a kind mermaid, by whose
assistance it is that I am now come to release you.” So, having
‘uttered thes mons he threw himself at her feet ; but, catching
hold of her gown he unfortunately
let go the magic sword, which the
Yellow Dwarf no sooner disco-
vered, than, leaping from behind
a shrub, where he had been con-
cealed, he ran and seized it. By
two cabalistical words he then con-
jured up a couple of giants, who

 

laid the king in irons.

“Now,” said the Dwarf, “my rival’s fate is in my own
hands ; however, if he will consent to my marriage, he shall
have his life and liberty.”—* No,” said the king, “I scorn thy
favour on such terms,” The dwarf was so exasperated by this
reply, that he instantly stabbed the king to the heart. The
disconsolate princess, aggravated to the last degree at such bar-
barity, thus vented her grief : “ Thou hideous creature ! since
entreaties could not avail thee, perhaps thou now reliest upon.
force ; but thou shalt be disappointed, and thy brutal soul shall
know perpetual mortification from the moment I ell thee that
I die for the love I have for the King of the Golden Mines!”
and so saying she sunk down upon his body, and expired with-
outasigh. Thus ended the fate of these two faithful lovers,