§00 NURSERY RHYMES.

 

where a large company was assembled. The lord of the castle
pressed them to stay, though much he wondered at the lovely
Princess and her strange companion. When they went in among
the company, the Princess espied a pin sticking in the bull’s hide,
which she pulled out, and, to the surprise of all, there appeared
not a frightful wild beast, but one of the most beautiful Princes
ever beheld. You may believe how delighted the Princess was
to see him fall at her feet, and thank her for breaking his cruel
enchantment. ‘There were great rejoicings in the castle at this;
but, alas! at that moment he suddenly disappeared, and though
every place was sought, he was nowhere to be found. The Prin-
cess, however, determined to seek through all the world for him,
and many weary ways she went, but nothing could she hear of
her lover. Travelling once through a dark wood, she lost her
way, and as night was coming on, she thought she must now
certainly die of cold and hunger ; but seeing a light through the
trees, she went on till she came to a little hut, where an old
woman lived, who took her in, and gave her both food and shelter.
In the morning, the old wife gave her three nuts, that she was
not to break till her heart was “like to break, and owre again like
to break ;” so, showing her the way, she bade God speed her,
and the Princess once more set out on her wearisome journey.
She had not gone far till a company of lords and ladies rode
past her, all talking merrily of the fine doings they expected at
the Duke o’ Norroway’s wedding. Then she came up to a number
of people carrying all sorts of fine things, and they, too, were
going to the Duke’s wedding. At last she came to a castle, where
nothing was to be seen but cooks and bakers, some running one