But finding this scheme ineffectual, she resolved to carry
him to a place altogether as pleasant as the other was terrible; and
accordingly placed him in a chariot drawn by swans. In passing through
the air, he was unspeakably surprised to see his beloved princess in a
castle of polished steel, leaning her head on one hand, and wiping
away her tears with the other. She happened to look up, and had the
mortification to see the king sitting by the fairy who then, by her
art, made herself appear extremely beautiful. Had not the king been
sensible of the fairy's power, he would certainly have tried to free
himself from her by some means or other; but he knew it would be in
vain, and therefore made believe to have a liking for her. At last
they came to a stately palace, fenced on one side by walls of
emeralds, and on the other by a boisterous sea. The king, by
pretending an attachment to the fairy, obtained the liberty to walk by
himself on the shore. There, one day, he heard a voice, and presently
after was surprised by the appearance of a mermaid, who, swimming up
to him with a pleasing smile, spoke to this effect:--"O King of the
Golden Mines, I well know all that has befallen you and the Princess
All-Fair. Do not suspect this to be a contrivance of the fairy to try
you, for I am an inveterate enemy both to her and the Yellow Dwarf;
therefore, if you will place confidence in me, I will lend you my
assistance to procure the release, not only of yourself, but of
All-Fair also.
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