Oldal 72 [72]
44 GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES.
And as Faithful John gave him his hand upon it, the old
King became still and silent, laid his head upon the pillow,
and died.
When the old King was laid in the grave, Faithful John
told the young King what he had promised to his father on
his death-bed, and said, |
“And I will certainly hold to my promise and be faithful
to you, as I was faithful to him, even though it should cost
me my life.”
When the days of mourning were at an end, Faithful John
said to the Prince, |
“Tt is now time that you should see your inheritance; I
will show you all the paternal castle.”
Then he led him over all the place, upstairs and down¬
stairs, and showed him all the treasures and the splendid
chambers ; one chamber only he did not open, that in which
the perilous picture hung. Now the picture was so placed
that when the door opened it was the first thing to be seen,
and was so wonderfully painted that it seemed to breathe and
move, and in the whole world was there nothing more lovely
or more beautiful. ‘The young King noticed how Faithful John
always passed by this one door, and asked,
“Why do you not undo this door P”
“There is something inside that would terrify you,”
answered he. But the King answered,
‘‘T have seen the whole castle, and I will know what is
in here also.” And he went forward and tried to open the
door by force.
Then Faithful John called him back, and said, " I promised
your father on his death-bed that you should not see what is
in that room; it might bring great misfortune on you and
me were I to break my promise.”
But the young King answered, “I shall be undone if I do
not go inside that room ; I shall have no peace day or night
until I have seen it with these eyes; and I will not move
from this place until you have unlocked it.”
Then Faithful John saw there was no help for it, and he
chose out the key from the big bunch with a heavy heart and
many sighs. When the door was opened he walked in first,
and thought that by standing in front of the King he might