| Share page |
|
|
||
|
226 GRIMM'S FAIRY TALES.
built themselves a fine house with their silver and gold, an( lived in clover. He went to see them, but because he wore i half-worn-out coat, a shabby hat, and the old knapsack on hi back, they would not recognise him as their brother. The mocked him and said,
" It is of no use your giving yourself out to be our brother he who scorned silver and gold, seeking for better fortune will return in great splendour, as a mighty king, not as \ beggar-man." And they drove him from their door. Thei he flew into a great rage, and struck upon his knapsack unti a hundred and fifty men stood before him, rank and file. H> ordered them to surround his brothers' house, and that two o them should take hazel-rods, and should beat the brother until they knew who he was. And there arose a terrible noise the people ran together and wished to rescue the brothers ii their extremity, but they could do nothing against the soldiers It happened at last that the king of the country heard of it and he was indignant, and sent a captain with his troops t< drive the disturber of the peace out of the town : but the mai with his knapsack soon assembled a greater company, wh< beat back the captain and his people, sending them off wit] bleeding noses. Then the king said,
" This vagabond fellow must be put down," and he sen the next day a larger company against him, but they could d< nothing: for he assembled more men than ever, and in orde to bring them more quickly, he pulled his hat twice lowe over his brows; then the heavy guns came into play, and th* king's people were beaten and put to flight.
"Now," said he, "I shall not make peace until the kinj gives me his daughter to wife, and lets me rule the whol kingdom in his name."
This he caused to be told to the king, who said to hi daughter,
" This is a hard nut to crack; there is no choice but fo me to do as he asks; if I wish to have peace and keep th crown on my head, I must give in to him."
So the wedding took place, but the king's daughter wa angry that the bridegroom should be a common man, wh< wore a shabby hat, and carried an old knapsack. She wishe< very much to get rid of him, and thought day and night hov |
||