196 SLAV TALES

“Vou will learn more from the moon,” answered the star ;
“she lives nearer the earth than I, and sees everything that
goes on there.”

The moon was just rising from her silver bed when
Sudolisu called to her:

“ Pearl of the Sky, thou radiant Moon,
Thy watch o’er the stars pray leave,
Throw thy soft glance o’er the earth ere I swoon,
O’ercome by my sorrows I weep and I grieve.
I pine for my friend, oh ease thou my heart,
And say, am I loved? In his thoughts have I part?”

“Princess,” replied the moon, “I know nothing of your
friend. But wait a few hours, the sun will have then risen;
he knows everything, and will surely be able to tell you.”

So the princess kept her eyes fixed upon that part of the
sky where the sun first appears, chasing away the darkness
like a flock of birds. When he came forth in all his glory

she said:

“ Soul of the World, thou deep fountain of life,
Eye of all-powerful God,
Visit my prison, dark scene of sad strife,
Raise up my soul from the sod,
With hope that my friend whom I pine for and love
May come to my rescue. Say, where does he rove?”

“Sweet Sudolisu,” answered the sun, “dry the tears that
like pearls roll down your sad and lovely face. Let your
troubled heart be at peace, for your friend the prince is now
on his way to rescue you. He has recovered the magic ring
from the Nether World, and many armies from those countries