they wandered up and down, but could see no ring THE FAIR
in the water. MAID
Charming had almost made up his mind to return Eon
to his lodgings, when he heard his name called. Locges
He looked about, but saw no one. Then he
walked on, but again heard a voice that called:
‘Charming! Charming !’
‘Who calis me?’ he asked.
Dulcet, who was very small, and ran close to the
water’s edge, cried out, ‘Master, I see a golden
carp coming.’
And sure enough there was a carp, and it said to
the young man: ‘You saved my life in the
meadow where grew the poplar trees, and I
promised to repay you. Take this, it is the ring
of the fair maid with golden locks.’
Charming took the ring out of the carp’s mouth,
with many thanks, and he and little Dulcet, which
Boles and barked about him, returned to the

alace.
Some one told the princess that he was asking to
see her.
‘Ah! poor fellow,’ said she; ‘he desires to say
good-bye.’
Then Charming entered, and making a profound
bow, approached: he gracefully bent his knee, and
handing her the ring, said—
‘Madam! I have done your bidding. Here is what
you had lost. Now will you marry my master, who
is the greatest king and most attractive man in
the world—

‘“ His great moustaches they twist and twirl,
To win the heart of each right-minded girl.
He has a nose in the midst of his face,

And a couple of ears——”’

‘Enough,’ said the princess,’ I have heard that
already, and would really be moved to accept the
king by the eloquence of your speech and the

175