Then the Fair Maid with Golden Locks told the THE FAIR
king of all that Charming had done, how he had MAID
recovered her ring that had been lost, how that he .WITH
had slain the ogre, and how that he had obtained “Locks
for her the Water of Perpetual Beauty.
Now Charming’s enemies were jealous of him
because he had succeeded so well, and especially
the ambassador who had failed was so filled with
envy and spite that he resolved on Charming’s
destruction.
So he went to the king and said: ‘I suppose that
the Fair One with Golden Locks is often talking
to you of Charming.’
‘Certainly she is,’ answered the king.
‘It is very clear,’ said he, ‘that she thinks more of
him than of you.’
‘Yes,’ said another ; ‘and Charming has been say-
ing that your majesty was too great a coward to
face the ogre, or to get into the cavern where were
the dragons, and too stupid to find the ring, and
so you sent him.’
‘Did he say that?’ exclained the king. ‘Throw
him into the lowest dungeon.’
So they took Charming, who had served his master
so faithfully, and shut him up in prison; and he
had none with him save his little dog Dulcet, and
with the dog he shared his bit of bread and sup
of water, which was all the nourishment that was
allowed him.
When the Fair Queen with Golden Locks heard
what had been done, she cast herself at the king’s
feet and implored him to set Charming free, but
the more she entreated the more stubborn he
became.
Now it happened that the king took it into his
head that if his queen washed herself with the
Water of Perpetual Beauty he might just as well
do the same himself, and then he would always
remain young and lovely. So he went into her
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