Oldal 258 [258]
206 GRIMM S FAIRY. TALES.
Then round about that place there grew a hedge of thorns |
thicker every year, until at last the whole castle was hidden
from view, and nothing of it could be seen but the vane on
the roof. And a rumour went abroad in all that country of
the beautiful sleeping Rosamond, for so was the princess called ;
and from time to time many kings’ sons came and tried to
force their way through the hedge; but it was impossible for
them to do so, for the thorns held fast together like strong
hands, and the young men were caught by them, and not being
able to get free, there died a lamentable death.
Many a long year afterwards there came a king’s son into
. that country, and heard an old man tell how there should be
a castle standing behind the hedge of thorns, and that there
a beautiful enchanted princess named Rosamond had slept for
a hundred years, and with her the king and queen, and the
whole court. The old man had been told by his grandfather
that many king’s sons had sought to pass the thorn-hedge, but
had been caught and pierced by the thorns, and had died a
miserable death. Then said the young man, " Nevertheless,
I do not fear to try; I shall win through and see the lovely
Rosamond.” ‘The good old man tried to dissuade him, but he
would not listen to his words.
For now the hundred years were at an end, and the day
had come when Rosamond should be awakened. When the
prince drew near the hedge of thorns, it was changed into a
hedge of beautiful large flowers, which parted and bent aside
to let him pass, and then closed behind him in a thick hedge.
When he reached the castle-yard, he saw the horses and
brindled hunting-dogs lying asleep, and on the roof the pigeons
were sitting with their heads under their wings. And when he
came indoors, the flies on the wall were asleep, the cook in the
kitchen.had his hand uplifted to strike the scullion, and the
kitchen-maid had the black fowl on her lap ready to pluck.
Then he mounted higher, and saw in the hall the whole court
lying asleep, and above them, on their thrones, slept the king
and the queen. And still he went farther, and all was so
quiet that he could hear his own breathing; and at last he
came to the tower, and went up the winding stair, and opened
the door of the little room where Rosamond lay. And when
he saw her looking so lovely in her sleep, he could not turn