The GREEN Fairy Book - online children's book

Illustrated classic fairy tales for children by Andrew Lang

Share page

	HEART OF ICE.	Ill
	where his humble birth would not prevent his gaining honor and riches by his courage, and it was with a heart full of ambitious projects that he rode one day into a great city not far from the fairy's castle. As he had set out intending to hunt in the surrounding forest lie was quite simply dressed, and carried only a bow and arrows and a light spear; but even thus arrayed he looked grace­ful and distinguished. As he entered the city he saw that the inhabitants were all racing with one accord toward the market-place, and he also turned his horse in the same direction, curious to know what was going forward. When he reached the spot he found that certain foreigners of strange and outlandish appearance were about to make a proclamation to the assembled citizens, and he hastily pushed his way into the crowd until he was near enough to hear the words of the venerable old man who was their spokesman: "Let the whole world know that he who can reach the summit of the Ice Mountain shall receive as his reward, not only the incomparable Sabella, fairest of the fair, but also all the realms of which she is queen! Here," con­tinued the old man after he had made this proclamation —"here is the list of all those princes who, struck by the beauty of the princess, have perished in the attempt to win her; and here is the list of those who have just en­tered upon the high emprise." Prince Manikin was seized with a violent desire to in­scribe his name among the others, but the remembrance of his dependent position and his lack of wealth held him back. But while he hesitated the old man, with many respectful ceremonies, unveiled a portrait of the lovely Sabella, which was carried by some of the attendants, and after one glance at it the prince delayed no longer, but rushing forward demanded permission to add his name to the list. When they saw his tiny stature and simple attire the strangers looked at each other doubtfully, not knowing whether to accept or refuse him. But the prince said haughtily, "Give me the paper that I may sign it," and they obeyed. What between admiration fer the prin­cess and annoyance at the hesitation shown by her ambas­sadors, the prince was too much agitated to choose any other name than the one by which he was always known. But when, after all the grand titles of the otfcer princes,