must learn, the greatest horror of growing old and THE FAIR
ugly, therefore I have determined most decisively aD
never to marry till I can take with me a phial of OREN
the Water of Perpetual Beauty. This water has Locxks
the most marvellous properties. Beautiful things

never decay and wither, and ugly things become
beautiful when washed with it. If any one is

young he never wears old if washed with it, and

one who is old can be renovated with it to look
perfectly young.’

‘Princess,’ said Charming, ‘you, at least, need

never employ this water ; but I am an ambassador

who must do all I can to obtain your hand for my

master. Will it please you to tell me where this

water is to be found?’

‘It is at no great distance from this,’ said the
princess. ‘It flows out of the rock at the bottom

of a deep and gloomy cavern, and is guarded by

two dragons with fiery eyes who will allow no one

to pass them.’

‘Madam,’ said Charming, ‘I fly to my death My

death will be sweet because dying for you.’

When Charming had departed the Fair Maid

with Golden Locks said to her ladies: ‘Surely he

will never undertake this adventure. I would not

have him die for worlds. I only said it because I

really have no heart to marry his master.’

She was extremely concerned when she heard that

he was already departed in quest of the Water of
Perpetual Beauty.

Charming went on his way taking Dulcet alone with

him. When he came within sight of a great black
mountain then he knew he was not far distant

from the fountain. He dismounted and turned off

his horse to graze, and let Dulcet amuse himself

with catching flies.

He went forward and soon saw the mouth of the

cavern, from which issued puffs of smoke with

flames; this was caused by the breathing of the

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