Stranica 149 [149]
THE GALLANT TAILOR. II3
“Oh!” said they, “why should this great lord come here
in time of peace? what a mighty champion he must be.”
Then they went and told the King about him, and they
thought that if war should break out what a worthy and useful
man he would be, and that he ought not to be allowed to
depart at any price. The King then summoned his council,
and sent one of his courtiers to the little tailor to beg him, so
soon as he should wake up, to consent to serve in the King’s
army. So the messenger stood and waited at the sleeper’s side
until his limbs began to stretch, and his eyes to open, and
then he carried his answer back. And the answer was,
“That was the reason for which I came,” said the little
tailor, "I am ready to enter the King’s service.”
So he was received into it very honourably, and a separate
dwelling set apart for him.
But the rest of the soldiers were very much set against the
little tailor, and they wished him a thousand miles away. —
“What shall be done about it?” they said among them¬
selves ; "1f we pick a quarrel and fight with him then seven of
us will fall at each blow. ‘That will be of no good to us.
So they came to a resolution, and went all together to the
King to ask for their discharge.
“We never intended,” said they, “to serve with a man
who kills seven at a blow.” |
The King felt sorry to lose all his faithful servants because
Of one man, and he wished that he had never seen him, and
would willingly get rid of himif he might. But he did not dare
to dismiss the little tailor for fear he should kill all the King’s
people, and place himself upon the throne. He thought a long
while about it, and at last made up his mind what to do. He
sent for the little tailor, and told him that as he was so great a
warrior he had a proposal to make to him. He told him that
‘In a wood in his dominions dwelt two giants, who did great
damage by robbery, murder, and fire, and that no man durst
go near them for fear of his life. But that if the tailor should
Overcome and slay both these giants the King would give him
his only daughter in marriage, and half his kingdom as dowry,
and that a hundred horsemen should go with him to give him
assistance.
" That would be something for a man like me!” thought
I