Marie-Catherine d'Aulnoy

“ Bellissima was sitting in a little thicket by a brook, leaning her head upon her hand and weeping bitterly, but just as they passed she looked up and saw the King and the Fairy of the Desert. Now, the Fairy was so clever that she could not only seem beautiful to the King, but even the poor Princess thought her the most lovely being she had ever seen. ”

“ All this fell out as the Dove foretold. The green bird begged for liberty. "First," said Belle-Etoile, "I wish that thou wouldst restore my three brothers to me."
"Under my left wing there is a red feather," said the bird: "pull it out, and touch the rock with it."
The Princess hastened to do as she was instructed; the rock split from the top to the bottom: she entered with a victorious air the hall in which stood the three Princes with many others; she ran towards Cheri, who did not know her in her helmet and male attire, and could neither speak nor move. ”

“ When she awoke, she heard the lions which guarded the fairy roaring, upon which, looking for her cake, she found it was gone. This threw her into the utmost agony, not knowing how to save herself from being devoured by them; when, hearing somebody cry, "Hem! hem!" she lifted up her eyes, and beheld a little yellow man on a tree, half a yard high, picking and eating oranges.
"Ah! queen," said the yellow Dwarf, (for so he was called on account of his complexion, and the orange-tree he lived in) "how will you escape the lions? There is but one way: I know what business brought you here! ”

“ During all this time Désirée had scarcely less pleasure in looking at the Prince’s portrait than he had in gazing at hers. And her attendants did not fail to discover this—amongst others, Giroflée and Longue-épine, her maids of honour. Giroflée loved her dearly, and was faithful; but Longue-épine had always nourished a secret jealousy of her. Her mother had been the Princess’s governess, and was now her principal lady-in-waiting, but as she doted on her own daughter, she could not wish well to Désirée. ”

“ A little way off stood a splendid palace, the walls of which were of transparent emeralds. As soon as the swans which drew the Fairy’s chariot had alighted under a porch, which was paved with diamonds and had arches of rubies, they were greeted on all sides by thousands of beautiful beings, who came to meet them joyfully, smging these words:
When Love within a heart would reign,
Useless to strive against him ’tis. ”

“ Bellissima was already fifteen years old, and every one of the Princes wished to marry her, but not one dared to say so. How could they when they knew that any of them might have cut off his head five or six times a day just to please her, and she would have thought it a mere trifle, so little did she care? You may imagine how hard-hearted her lovers thought her; and the Queen, who wished to see her married, did not know how to persuade her to think of it seriously.
‘Bellissima,’ she said, ‘I do wish you would not be so proud. What makes you despise all these nice kings? ”

“ After having passed through sixty apartments, a fine easy chair moved towards him of its own accord; the fire lighted itself, and the hands pulled off his clothes, which had been drenched in the storm, and dressed him in others so extraordinarily fine and rich, that it dazzled his sight to behold himself. While the prince was in the utmost astonishment at this uncommon adventure, he saw a multitude of cats enter the room, and seat themselves on the bench. ”

“ The Yellow Dwarf struck his spurs into the sides of his cat, which set up a terrific squalling, and frightened everybody but the King, who pressed the Dwarf so closely that he drew a cutlass, and defying him to single combat, descended into the court-yard, the enraged King following him. Scarcely had they confronted each other, the whole Court being in the balconies to witness the combat, when the sun became as red as blood, and it grew so dark that they could scarcely see themselves. The two turkey-cocks appeared at the side of the Yellow Dwarf, casting out flames from their mouths and eyes. ”

“ The King and Queen resolved that the ambassador should see Désirếe, but the Fairy Tulip said to the Queen, “Take care, Madam, that you do not introduce Becafigue to the Princess; he must not see her yet, and do not consent to let her go until she is fifteen years old; for if she quit her palace before then some misfortune will befall her.” And the Queen promised to follow her advice. ”

“ Prince Cheri at break of day perceived a handsome young man, from whom he learned where the singing-apple was to be found: but after travelling some time without seeing any sign of it, he saw a poor turtle-dove fall at his feet almost dead. He took pity on it, and restored it, when it said, "Good-day, handsome Cheri, you are destined to save my life, and I to do you signal service. You are come to seek for the singing-apple: it is guarded by a terrible dragon." ”

“ He had hardly spoken these words when the lid of the box fell back on the floor with a terrible noise, and to their horror out sprang the Yellow Dwarf, mounted upon a great Spanish cat. ‘Rash youth!’ he cried, rushing between the Fairy of the Desert and the King. ‘Dare to lay a finger upon this illustrious Fairy! Your quarrel is with me only. I am your enemy and your rival. That faithless Princess who would have married you is promised to me. ”

“ The fairy disappeared; and the man and his wife were much perplexed. "For my own part, said the wife, "if it were left to my choice I know very well what I should wish for: I do not wish yet, but I think nothing is so good as to be handsome, rich, and to be of great quality." But the husband answered, "With all these things one may be sick and fretful, and one may die young: it would be much wiser to wish for health, cheerfulness, and long life." "But to what purpose is long life with poverty?" says the wife: "it would only prolong your misery. ”

“ The king was convinced that nothing could be met with so beautiful; but, being unwilling yet to part with his crown, he told his children, that he must make a further trial of their love and diligence before he performed his promise: they must take another year to find out a web of cloth fine enough to go through the eye of a small needle.
This request, though unjust, they thought it best to comply with: and our prince mounted his wooden horse, and returned with speed to his White Cat, on which alone he depended for assistance. ”

“ They admired together the wonderful stars, the chains of gold that could not be taken off their necks, and their long ringlets. Much greater was the woman's astonishment when she combed them, for at every instant there rolled out of their hair pearls, rubies, diamonds, and emeralds. ”

“ A-hem!” and raising her eyes, she saw up in the tree a little man not more than two feet high. He was eating oranges, and said to her, “I know you well, Queen; you have good reason to be afraid of the lions, for they have devoured many before you, and — you have no cake.” “Alas,” cried the poor Queen, “I should die with less pain if my dear daughter were but married!” “How! you have a daughter!” exclaimed the Yellow Dwarf. ”

“ While everybody endeavoured to console the King, the Prince and Becafigue sped away, and at the end of three days found themselves in a vast forest, where the Prince, who was still ill, dismounted, while Becafigue went to seek for some fruits for their refreshment. It is a long time since we left the Hind in the Wood. The Fairy Tulip felt for her misfortune; and conducted Giroflếe towards the forest, that she might console the Princess. ”

“ Now Bellissima was much less proud since her adventure with the Yellow Dwarf, and she could not think of a better way of getting rid of the little monster than to marry some powerful king, therefore she replied to their request much more favourably than they had hoped, saying that, though she was very happy as she was, still, to please them, she would consent to marry the King of the Gold Mines. ”

“ The perfidious old woman retired, delighted at having been so successful. The Princes, returning from the chase, found Belle-Etoile engrossed by the advice of Feintise. Her anxiety about it was so apparent, that Cheri, who thought of nothing but pleasing her, soon found out the cause of it, and, in spite of her entreaties, he mounted his white horse, and set out in search of the dancing-water. When supper-time arrived, and the Princess did not see her brother Cheri, she could neither eat nor drink ”

“ Tears started from the prince’s eyes at this request, and he was going several times to refuse; but the White Cat insisted upon it so earnestly, that at last, with a trembling hand, he chopped off her head and tail, and threw them according to order into the fire. In an instant the body of the White Cat was changed into the most beautiful lady that ever was seen, and immediately a great number of gentlemen and ladies, holding their cats’ skins over their shoulders, came and fell prostrate at her feet, crying, "Long live our gracious queen! ”

“ As soon as the crab had left, the Queen asked the fairies to preserve her daughter from the threatened evil, and they decided to build a palace without doors or windows, and to educate the Princess there till the fatal period should have expired. ”

“ Messengers were sent to all the gayest and most refined Courts, particularly to the Court of France, to seek out everything rare and precious to adorn the Princess, although: her beauty was so perfect that nothing she wore could make her look prettier. ”

“ In truth, the fairy should have promised us a dozen of gifts, for there are at least a dozen things which I want." "That may be true,” said the husband; "but let us take time; let us consider till morning the three things which are most necessary for us, and then wish." "I’ll think all night," said the wife; "meanwhile let us warm ourselves, for it is very cold." At the same time the wife took the tongs to mend the fire; and seeing there were a great many coals thoroughly lighted, she said without thinking on it, "Here’s a nice fire; I wish we had a yard of black pudding for our supper ”

“ The Dwarf looked at her, and laughed contemptuously. “Be not angry,” said the Princess; “I would rather
marry all the dwarfs in the world than perish in so frightful a manner. “Look at me well, Princess, before you give me your word,” replied he. “I have looked at you more than enough,” said she. “The lions are approaching ”

“ Queen Blondine, who had mourned for them all these years, embraced them, and the wicked Queen-Mother and old Feintise were justly punished. And the King, who thought his nephew Cheri the handsomest man at Court, consented to his marriage with Belle-Etoile. And lastly, to make everyone happy, the King sent for the Corsair and his wife, who gladly came.
"No firm surpasses Messrs. ”

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“ After taking leave of theking they set out, with orders to return that day twelvemonth with dogs. Each took a different road, without any attendants; but we shall leave the two eldest at present, and confine our story to the youngest. ”