The Irish standard., 1898-05-28
} THE KINGS sun HORSE
} From the German Of J. WENziG.)

sun. The inhabitants would have fed,
leaving the land to owls and bats, had
not the king possessed horse with q
sun on its forehead. To enable his SUBJ
jeots to dwell in this dark and dreary
region, the king caused his horse to be
led daily through the country, for
wherever this wonderful horse went
the land on all sides was bathed in
light; but when it had passed, thick
darkness hurried back to resume Its
sway.
One day the sun horse disappeared,
and darkness deeper than night COW
cred the land. Discomfort and terror
spread among the people; want pressed
them sore, for they could work at moth
ing; and soon dreadful disorder arose.
The king grew alarmed, and 10 avert
the threatened danger set forth his
army to seek the sun horse.
Arrived at the borders of his king
dom, the king entered vast forests, the
growth of thousands of years. Jour
neying through these forests with his
army, the king came at length to mis-
cradle hut. He entered and saw a mid
die aged man seated at u table, reading
from large book that lay open before
him. When the king bowed, he rose
end courteously returned the saluta-
ton. He was tall of STATURE his fea-
lures were thoughtful, and his glance
piercing; indeed, his whole appearance
proclaimed him a seer, and no ordinary
man.
II was reading Of you," said he. "You
seek the sun horse Do not trouble fur
Their, you cannot regain it. Rely oh me,
I will find it forge Return home with
your army. You are needed there;
only leave me one of your warriors as
servant"
$50 be it, oh, Unknown" replied the
monarch. Richly will I reward you
II you restore my sun horse"
Next morning he departed with his
servant. The way was long; they trav-
eled through six countries, and still had
further to go. Passing through the
seventh country, they came to state
~ palace; here they halted. Three
valiant brothers ruled this land, and
had as wives three sisters, whose mother
was q wicked witch, named Striga.
Then the seer addressed his servant:
"Remain here, whilst enter the pail
ace and ascertain if the kings are at
home; they stole the horse. The
youngest rides it,"
Saying this, he changed himself into
a green bird, flew to the window of the
Oldest queen, and futtered and knocked
with his beak against the glass, until
she let him in. His great beauty and
sweet, caressing ways delighted her,
and she rcjoiced like child.
"What u pity my husband is absent.
This beauteous bird would have pleased
him. Still he returns tonight; he has
only ridden forth to review third part
of the land.
Thus spake the queen, caressing the
gentle bird.
Suddenly, old Striga entered the
room, and, perceiving the bird, cried:
"Strangle the accursed bird; he will
cover you with bloodl"
, "Cover me with blood? Nonsense!
See how innocent, how loving he is"
replied the queen.
But Striga cried: deceptive inno-
cence! Give him here instantly, that
may strangle him!"
She sprang forward, but the bird pru-
IDENTIFY changed into man, and was
out of the room and out of sight in a
moment.
Taking again the form Of green
bird, he flew to the window of the
second queen, and knocked until she
opened it. Directly she let him in, he
perched on her snowwhite hand, and
from thence flew to her shoulder, where
he rested, looking confdingly into her
eyes.
"Alas!" she cried, "alas! that my hus-
band is fyom home. He would have de-
lighted in you, beauteous bird. How
ever, he will return tomorrow even
ing; he has but gone to review two
thirds of the kingdom" .-.
At this moment Striga entered, cry
ing: "Strangle that accursed thing
strangle it this moment; it will cover
you with blood"
"That is impossible, mother" replied
the queen. 'He is so gentle"
"The gentleness is feigned!" screamed
Striga, trying to seize the bird. But the
seer, as before, changed himself into
man, and disappeared.
After time, the seer flew as a green
bird to the window of the youngest
queen. On her opening it, he pcrched
on her white hand, and caressed her
SO prettily that she felt quite child
ish delight in playing with him.
1T is thousand pities that my lord
is absent" cried the young queen in
her joy. "This sweet little bird would
have pleased him as much as it does
me. Still, he is sure to return the even
ing after next, when he has reviewed the
whole land"
But even as she spoke old strisa
rushed excitedly into the room.
"Strangle that accursed bird!" she
cried, whilst still in the doorway.
strange it, 1 say; it will cover you
with blood"
"Cover me with blood, mother? I'm
possible! Look. See how innocent, how
beautiful it is" replied the queen. But
Striga stretched forth her withered
hands, exclaiming:
"Delusive innocence! Give it me this
moment, that may strangle it'll"
But ere she could see him the seer
changed into a man and vanished.
Having gained the required informa-
tion, the seer returned to his servant,
whom he ordered to purchase provisions
IL.