These must be the skulls of the men who tried to make the princess speak and failed. Well, if we fail too, our bones will strew the ground likewise.
Oh! turn back now, my prince, while there is yet time, entreated his companion. Your father gave you into my charge; but when we set out I did not know that certain death lay before us.
Take heart, O Lala, take heart! answered the prince. A man can but die once. And, besides, the princess will have to speak some day, you know.
So they went on again, past skulls and dead mens bones in all degrees of whiteness. And by-and-by they reached another village, where they determined to rest for a little while, so that their wits might be fresh and bright for the task that lay before them. But this time, though the people were kind and friendly, their faces were gloomy, and every now and then woeful cries would rend the air.
Oh! my brother, have I lost you? Oh! my son, shall I see you no more? And then, as the prince and his companion asked the meaning of these laments-which, indeed, was plain enough-the answer was given:
Ah, you also have come hither to die! This town belongs to the father of the princess, and when any rash man seeks to move the princess to speech he must first obtain leave of the sultan. If that is granted him he is then led into the presence of the princess. What happens afterwards, perhaps the sight of these bones may help you to guess.
The young man bowed his head in token of thanks, and stood thoughtful for a short time. Then, turning to the Lala, he said:
Well, our destiny will soon be decided! Meanwhile we will find out all we can, and do nothing rashly.
For two or three days they wandered about the bazaars, keeping their eyes and ears open, when, one morning, they met a man carrying a nightingale in a cage. The bird was singing so joyously that the prince stopped to listen, and at once offered to buy him from his owner.
Oh, why cumber yourself with such a useless thing, cried the Lala in disgust; have you not enough to occupy your hands and mind, without taking an extra burden? But the prince, who liked having his own way, paid no heed to him, and paying the high price asked by the man, he carried the bird back to the inn, and hung him up in his chamber. That evening, as he was sitting alone, trying to think of something that would make the princess talk, and failing altogether, the nightingale pecked open her cage door, which was lightly fastened by a stick, and, perching on his shoulder, murmured softly in his ear:
What makes you so sad, my prince? The young man started. In his native country birds did not talk, and, like many people, he was always rather afraid of what he did not understand. But in a moment he felt ashamed of his folly, and explained that he had travelled for more than a year, and over thousands of miles, to win the hand of the sultans daughter. And now that he had reached his goal he could think of no plan to force her to speak.
Oh! do not trouble your head about that, replied the bird, it is quite easy! Go this evening to the womens apartments, and take me with you, and when you enter the princesss private chamber hide me under the pedestal which supports the great golden candlestick. The princess herself will be wrapped so thickly in her seven veils that she can see nothing, neither can her face be seen by anyone. Then inquire after her health, but she will remain quite silent; and next say that you are sorry to have disturbed her, and that you will have a little talk with the pedestal of the candlestick. When you speak I will answer.
The prince threw his mantle over the bird, and started for the palace, where he begged an audience of the sultan. This was soon granted him, and leaving the nightingale hidden by the mantle, in a dark corner outside the door, he walked up to the throne on which his highness was sitting, and bowed low before him.
What is your request? asked the sultan, looking closely at the young man, who was tall and handsome; but when he heard the tale he shook his head pityingly.
If you can make her speak she shall be your wife, answered he; but if not-did you mark the skulls that strewed the mountain side?
Some day a man is bound to break the spell, O sultan, replied the youth boldly; and why should not I be he as well as another? At any rate, my word is pledged, and I cannot draw back now.
Well, go if you must, said the sultan. And he bade his attendants lead the way to the chamber of the princess, but to allow the young man to enter alone.
Catching up, unseen, his mantle and the cage as they passed into the dark corridor-for by this time night was coming on-the youth found himself standing in a room bare except for a pile of silken cushions, and one tall golden candlestick. His heart beat high as he looked at the cushions, and knew that, shrouded within the shining veils that covered them, lay the much longed-for princess. Then, fearful that after all other eyes might be watching him, he hastily placed the nightingale under the open pedestal on which the candlestick was resting, and turning again he steadied his voice, and besought the princess to tell him of her well-being.
Not by even a movement of her hand did the princess show that she had heard, and the young man, who of course expected this, went on to speak of his travels and of the strange countries he had passed through; but not a sound broke the silence.
I see clearly that you are interested in none of these things, said he at last, and as I have been forced to hold my peace for so many months, I feel that now I really must talk to somebody, so I shall go and address my conversation to the candlestick. And with that he crossed the room behind the princess, and cried: O fairest of candlesticks, how are you?
Very well indeed, my lord, answered the nightingale; but I wonder how many years have gone by since any one has spoken with me. And, now that you have come, rest, I pray you, awhile, and listen to my story.
Willingly, replied the youth, curling himself up on the floor, for there was no cushion for him to sit on.
Once upon a time, began the nightingale, there lived a pasha whose daughter was the most beautiful maiden in the whole kingdom. Suitors she had in plenty, but she was not easy to please, and at length there were only three whom she felt she could even think of marrying. Not knowing which of the three she liked best, she took counsel with her father, who summoned the young men into his presence, and then told them that they must each of them learn some trade, and whichever of them proved the cleverest at the end of six months should become the husband of the princess.
Though the three suitors may have been secretly disappointed, they could not help feeling that this test was quite fair, and left the palace together, talking as they went of what handicrafts they might set themselves to follow. The day was hot, and when they reached a spring that gushed out of the side of the mountain, they stopped to drink and rest, and then one of them said:
It will be best that we should each seek our fortunes alone; so let us put our rings under this stone, and go our separate ways. And the first one who returns hither will take his ring, and the others will take theirs. Thus we shall know whether we have all fulfilled the commands of the pasha, or if some accident has befallen any of us.
Good, replied the other two. And three rings were placed in a little hole, and carefully covered again by the stone.
Then they parted, and for six months they knew naught of each other, till, on the day appointed, they met at the spring. Right glad they all were, and eagerly they talked of what they had done, and how the time had been spent.
I think I shall win the princess, said the eldest, with a laugh, for it is not everybody that is able to accomplish a whole years journey in an hour!