The Princess And The Glass Mountain

: The Swedish Fairy Book

Once upon a time there was a king who took such a joy in the chase,

that he knew no greater pleasure than hunting wild beasts. Early and

late he camped in the forest with hawk and hound, and good fortune

always followed his hunting. But it chanced one day that he could

rouse no game, although he had tried in every direction since morning.

And then, when evening was coming on, and he was about to ride home,

he saw a dwa f or wild man running through the forest before him. The

king at once spurred on his horse, rode after the dwarf, seized him

and he was surprised at his strange appearance; for he was small and

ugly, like a troll, and his hair was as stiff as bean-straw. But no

matter what the king said to him, he would return no answer, nor say a

single word one way or another. This angered the king, who was already

out of sorts because of his ill-success at the hunt, and he ordered

his people to seize the wild man and guard him carefully lest he

escape. Then the king rode home.



Now his people said to him: "You should keep the wild man a captive

here at your court, in order that the whole country may talk of what a

mighty huntsman you are. Only you should guard him so that he does not

escape; because he is of a sly and treacherous disposition." When the

king had listened to them he said nothing for a long time. Then he

replied: "I will do as you say, and if the wild man escape, it shall

be no fault of mine. But I vow that whoever lets him go shall die

without mercy, and though he were my own son!"



The following morning, as soon as the king awoke, he remembered his

vow.



He at once sent for wood and beams, and had a small house or cage

built quite close to the castle. The small house was built of great

timbers, and protected by strong locks and bolts, so that none could

break in; and a peephole was left in the middle of the wall through

which food might be thrust.



When everything was completed the king had the wild man led up, placed

in the small house, and he himself took and kept the key. There the

dwarf had to sit a prisoner, day and night, and the people came afoot

and a-horseback to gaze at him. Yet no one ever heard him complain, or

so much as utter a single word.



Thus matters went for some time. Then a war broke out in the land, and

the king had to take the field. At parting he said to the queen: "You

must rule the kingdom now in my stead, and I leave land and people in

your care. But there is one thing you must promise me you will do:

that you will guard the wild man securely so that he does not escape

while I am away." The queen promised to do her best in all respects,

and the king gave her the key to the cage. Thereupon he had his long

galleys, his "sea-wolves," push out from the shore, hoisted sail, and

took his course far, far away to the other country.



The king and queen had only one child, a prince who was still small;

yet great in promise. Now when the king had gone, it chanced one day

that the little fellow was wandering about the royal courtyard, and

came to the wild man's cage. And he began to play with an apple of

gold he had. And while he was playing with it, it happened that

suddenly the apple fell through the window in the wall of the cage.

The wild man at once appeared and threw back the apple. This seemed a

merry game to the little fellow: he threw the apple in again, and the

wild man threw it out again, and thus they played for a long time. Yet

for all the game had been so pleasant, it turned to sorrow in the end:

for the wild man kept the apple of gold, and would not give it back

again. And when all was of no avail, neither threats nor prayers, the

little fellow at last began to weep. Then the wild man said: "Your

father did ill to capture me, and you will never get your apple of

gold again, unless you let me out." The little fellow answered: "And

how can I let you out? Just you give me back my apple again, my apple

of gold!" Then the wild man said: "You must do what I now tell you. Go

up to your mother, the queen, and beg her to comb your hair. Then see

to it that you take the key from her girdle, and come down and unlock

the door. After that you can return the key in the same way, without

any one knowing anything about it."



After the wild man had talked to the boy in this way, he finally did

as he said, went up to his mother, begged her to comb his hair, and

took the key from her girdle. Then he ran down to the cage and opened

the door. And when they parted, the dwarf said: "Here is your apple of

gold, that I promised to give back to you, and I thank you for setting

me free. And another time when you have need of me, I will help you in

turn." And with that he ran off on his own way. But the prince went

back to his mother, and returned the key in the same way he had taken

it.



When they learned at the king's court that the wild man had broken

out, there was great commotion, and the queen sent people over hill

and dale to look for him. But he was gone and he stayed gone. Thus

matters went for a while and the queen grew more and more unhappy; for

she expected her husband to return every day. And when he did reach

shore his first question was whether the wild man had been well

guarded. Then the queen had to confess how matters stood, and told him

how everything had happened. But the king was enraged beyond measure,

and said he would punish the malefactor, no matter who he might be.

And he ordered a great investigation at his court, and every human

being in it had to testify. But no one knew anything. At last the

little prince also had to come forward. And as he stood before the

king he said: "I know that I have deserved my father's anger; yet I

cannot hide the truth; for I let out the wild man." Then the queen

turned white, and the others as well, for there was not one who was

not fond of the prince. At last the king spoke: "Never shall it be

said of me that I was false to my vow, even for the sake of my own

flesh and blood! No, you must die the death you have deserved." And

with that he gave the order to take the prince to the forest and kill

him. And they were to bring back the boy's heart as a sign that his

command had been obeyed.



Now sorrow unheard of reigned among the people, and all pleaded for

the little prince. But the king's word could not be recalled. His

serving-men did not dare disobey, took the boy in their midst, and set

forth. And when they had gone a long way into the forest, they saw a

swine-herd tending his pigs. Then one said to another: "It does not

seem right to me to lay hand on the king's son; let us buy a pig

instead and take its heart, then all will believe it is the heart of

the prince." The other serving-men thought that he spoke wisely, so

they bought a pig from the swine-herd, led it into the wood, butchered

it and took its heart. Then they told the prince to go his way and

never return. They themselves went back to the king's castle, and it

is easy to imagine what grief they caused when they told of the

prince's death.



The king's son did what the serving-men had told him. He kept on

wandering as far as he could, and never had any other food than the

nuts and wild berries that grow in the forest. And when he had

wandered far and long, he came to a mountain upon whose very top stood

a fir-tree. Said he to himself: "After all, I might as well climb the

fir-tree and see whether I can find a path anywhere." No sooner said

than done: he climbed the tree. And as he sat in the very top of its

crown, and looked about on every side, he saw a large and splendid

royal castle rising in the distance, and gleaming in the sun. Then he

grew very happy and at once set forth in that direction. On the way he

met a farm-hand who was ploughing, and begged him to change clothes

with him, which he did. Thus fitted out he at last reached the king's

castle, went in, asked for a place, and was taken on as a herdsman, to

tend the king's cattle. Now he went to the forest early and late, and

in the course of time forgot his grief, grew up, and became so tall

and brave that his equal could not be found.



And now our story turns to the king who was reigning at the splendid

castle. He had been married, and he had an only daughter. She was

lovelier by far than other maidens, and had so kind and cheerful a

disposition that whoever could some day take her to his home might

well consider himself fortunate. Now when the princess had completed

her fifteenth year, a quite unheard of swarm of suitors made their

appearance, as may well be imagined; and for all that she said no to

all of them, they only increased in number. At last the princess said:

"None other shall win me save he who can ride up the high Glass

Mountain in full armor!" The king thought this a good suggestion. He

approved of his daughter's wish, and had proclaimed throughout the

kingdom that none other should have the princess save he who could

ride up the Glass Mountain.



And when the day set by the king had arrived, the princess was led up

the Glass Mountain. There she sat on its highest peak, with a golden

crown on her head, and a golden apple in her hand, and she looked so

immeasurably lovely that there was no one who would not have liked to

risk his life for her. Just below the foot of the hill all the suitors

assembled with splendid horses and glittering armor, that shone like

fire in the sun, and from round about the people flocked together in

great crowds to watch their tilting. And when everything was ready,

the signal was given by horns and trumpets, and then the suitors, one

after another, raced up the mountain with all their might. But the

mountain was high, as slippery as ice, and besides it was steep beyond

all measure. Not one of the suitors rode up more than a little way,

before he tumbled down again, head over heels, and it might well

happen that arms and legs were broken in the process. This made so

great a noise, together with the neighing of the horses, the shouting

of the people, and the clash of arms, that the tumult and the shouting

could be heard far away.



And while all this was going on, the king's son was rambling about

with his oxen, deep in the wood. But when he heard the tumult and the

clashing of arms, he sat down on a stone, leaned his cheek on his

hand, and became lost in thought. For it had occurred to him how

gladly he would have fared forth with the rest. Suddenly he heard

footsteps and when he looked up, the wild man was standing before him.

"Thank you for the last time!" said he, "and why do you sit here so

lonely and full of sorrow?" "Well," said the prince, "I have no choice

but to be sad and joyless. Because of you I am a fugitive from the

land of my father, and now I have not even a horse and armor to ride

up the Glass Mountain and fight for the princess." "Ah," said the wild

man, "if that be all you want, then I can help you! You helped me once

before and now I will help you in turn." Then he took the prince by

the hand, led him deep down into the earth into his cave, and behold,

there hung a suit of armor forged out of the hardest steel, and so

bright that a blue gleam played all around it. Right beside it stood a

splendid steed, saddled and bridled, pawing the earth with his steel

hoofs, and champing his bit till the white foam dropped to the ground.

The wild man said: "Now get quickly into your armor, ride out and try

your luck! In the meantime I will tend your oxen." The prince did not

wait to be told a second time; but put on helmet and armor, buckled on

his spurs, hung his sword at his side, and felt as light in his steel

armor as a bird in the air. Then he leaped into the saddle so that

every clasp and buckle rang, laid his reins on the neck of his steed,

and rode hastily toward the mountain.



The princess's suitors were about to give up the contest, for none of

them had won the prize, though each had done his best. And while they

stood there thinking it over, and saying that perhaps fortune would

favor them another time, they suddenly saw a youth ride out of the

wood straight toward the mountain. He was clad in steel from head to

foot, with helmet on head, sword in belt and shield on arm, and he

sat his horse with such knightly grace that it was a pleasure to look

at him. At once all eyes were turned to the strange knight, and all

asked who he might be; for none had ever seen him before. Yet they had

had but little time to talk and question, for no sooner had he cleared

the wood, than he rose in his stirrups, gave his horse the spurs, and

shot forward like an arrow straight up the Glass Mountain. Yet he did

not ride up all the way; but when he had reached the middle of the

steep ascent, he suddenly flung around his steed and rode down again,

so that the sparks flew from his horse's hoofs. Then he disappeared in

the wood like a bird in flight. One may imagine the excitement which

now seized upon all the people, and there was not one who did not

admire the strange knight. All agreed they had never seen a braver

knight.



Time passed, and the princess's suitors decided to try their luck a

second time. The king's daughter was once more led up the Glass

Mountain, with great pomp and richly gowned, and was seated on its

topmost peak, with the golden crown on her head, and a golden apple in

her hand. At the foot of the hill gathered all the suitors with

handsome horses and splendid armor, and round about stood all the

people to watch the contest. When all was ready the signal was given

by horns and trumpets, and at the same moment the suitors, one after

another, darted up the mountain with all their might. But all took

place as at the first time. The mountain was high, and as slippery as

ice, and besides, it was steep beyond all measure; not one rode up

more than a little way before tumbling down again head over heels.

Meanwhile there was much noise, and the horses neighed, and the people

shouted, and the armor clashed, so that the tumult and the shouting

sounded far into the deep wood.



And while all this was going on, the young prince was tending his

oxen, which was his duty. But when he heard the tumult and the

clashing of arms, he sat down on a stone, leaned his cheek on his

hand, and wept; for he thought of the king's beautiful daughter, and

it occurred to him how much he would like to take part and ride with

the rest. That very moment he heard footsteps and when he looked up,

the wild man was standing before him. "Good-day!" said the wild man,

"and why do you sit here so lonely and full of sorrow?" Thereupon the

prince replied: "I have no choice but to be sad and joyless. Because

of you I am a fugitive from the land of my father, and now I have not

even a horse and armor to ride up the mountain and fight for the

princess!" "Ah," said the wild man, "if that be all you want, then I

can help you! You helped me once before, and now I will help you in

turn." Then he took the prince by the hand, led him deep down in the

earth into his cave, and there on the wall hung a suit of armor

altogether forged of the clearest silver, and so bright that it shone

afar. Right beside it stood a snow-white steed, saddled and bridled,

pawing the earth with his silver hoofs, and champing his bit till the

foam dropped to the ground. The wild man said: "Now get quickly into

your armor, ride out and try your luck! In the meantime I will tend

your oxen." The prince did not wait to be told a second time; but put

on his helmet and armor in all haste, securely buckled on his spurs,

hung his sword at his side, and felt as light in his silver armor as a

bird in the air. Then he leaped into the saddle so that every clasp

and buckle rang, laid his reins on the neck of his steed, and rode

hastily toward the Glass Mountain.



The princess's suitors were about to give over the contest, for none

of them had won the prize, though each had played a man's part. And

while they stood there thinking it over, and saying that perhaps

fortune would favor them the next time, they suddenly saw a youth ride

out of the wood, straight toward the mountain. He was clad in silver

from head to foot, with helmet on head, shield on arm, and sword at

side, and he sat his horse with such knightly grace that a

braver-looking youth had probably never been seen. At once all eyes

were turned toward him, and the people noticed that he was the same

knight who had appeared before. But the prince did not leave them much

time for wonderment; for no sooner had he reached the plain, than he

rose in his stirrups, spurred on his horse, and rode like fire

straight up the steep mountain. Yet he did not ride quite up to the

top; but when he had come to its crest, he greeted the princess with

great courtesy, flung about his steed, and rode down the mountain

again till the sparks flew about his horse's hoofs. Then he

disappeared into the wood as the storm flies. As one may imagine, the

people's excitement was even greater than the first time, and there

was not one who did not admire the strange knight. And all were agreed

that a more splendid steed or a handsomer youth were nowhere to be

found.



Time passed, and the king set a day when his daughter's suitors were

to make a third trial. The princess was now once more led to the Glass

Mountain, and seated herself on its highest peak, with the golden

crown and the golden apple, as she had before. At the foot of the

mountain gathered the whole swarm of suitors, with splendid horses and

polished armor, handsome beyond anything seen thus far, and round

about the people flocked together to watch the contest. When all was

ready the suitors, one after another, darted up the mountain with all

their might. The mountain was as smooth as ice, and besides, it was

steep beyond all measure; so that not one rode up more than a little

way, before tumbling down again, head over heels. This made a great

noise, the horses neighed, the people shouted, and the armor clashed,

till the tumult and the shouting echoed far into the wood.



While this was all taking place the king's son was busy tending his

oxen as usual. And when he once more heard the noise and the clash of

arms, he sat down on a stone, leaned his cheek on his hand, and wept

bitterly. Then he thought of the lovely princess, and would gladly

have ventured his life to win her. That very moment the wild man was

standing before him: "Good-day!" said the wild man, "And why do you

sit here so lonely and full of sorrow?" "I have no choice but to be

sad and joyless," said the prince. "Because of you I am a fugitive

from the land of my father, and now I have not even a sword and armor

to ride up the mountain and fight for the princess!" "Ah," said the

wild man, "if that be all that troubles you I can help you! You helped

me once before, and now I will help you in turn." With that he took

the prince by the hand, led him into his cave deep down under the

earth, and showed him a suit of armor all forged of the purest gold,

and gleaming so brightly that its golden glow shone far and wide.

Beside it stood a magnificent steed, saddled and bridled, pawing the

earth with its golden hoofs, and champing its bit until the foam fell

to the ground. The wild man said: "Now get quickly into your armor,

ride out and try your luck! In the meantime I will tend your oxen."

And to tell the truth, the prince was not lazy; but put on his helmet

and armor, buckled on his golden spurs, hung his sword at his side,

and felt as light in his golden armor as a bird in the air. Then he

leaped into the saddle, so that every clasp and buckle rang, laid his

reins on the neck of his steed, and rode hastily toward the mountain.



The princess's suitors were about to give up the contest; for none of

them had won the prize, though each had done his best. And while they

stood there thinking over what was to be done, they suddenly saw a

youth come riding out of the wood, straight toward the mountain. He

was clad in gold from head to foot, with the golden helmet on his

head, the golden shield on his arm, and the golden sword at his side,

and so knightly was his bearing that a bolder warrior could not have

been met with in all the wide world. At once all eyes were turned

toward him, and one could see that he was the same youth who had

already appeared at different times. But the prince gave them but



little time to question and wonder; for no sooner had he reached the

plain than he gave his horse the spurs, and shot up the steep

mountain like a flash of lightning. When he had reached its highest

peak, he greeted the beautiful princess with great courtesy, kneeled

before her, and received the golden apple from her hand. Then he flung

about his steed, and rode down the Glass Mountain again, so that the

sparks flew about the golden hoofs of his horse, and a long ribbon of

golden light gleamed behind him. At last he disappeared in the wood

like a star. What a commotion now reigned about the mountain! The

people broke forth into cheers that could be heard far away, horns

sounded, trumpets called, horses neighed, arms clashed, and the king

had proclaimed far and near that the unknown golden knight had won the

prize.



Now all that was wanting was some information about the golden knight;

for no one knew him; and all the people expected that he would at once

make his appearance at the castle. But he did not come. This caused

great surprise, and the princess grew pale and ill. But the king was

put out, and the suitors murmured and found fault day by day. And at

length, when they were all at their wits' end, the king had a great

meeting announced at his castle, which every man, high and low, was to

attend; so that the princess might choose among them herself. There

was no one who was not glad to go for the princess's sake, and also

because it was a royal command, and a countless number of people

gathered together. And when they had all assembled, the princess came

out of the castle with great pomp, and followed by her maids, passed

through the entire multitude. But no matter how much she looked about

her on every side, she did not find the one for whom she was looking.

When she reached the last row she saw a man who stood quite hidden by

the crowd. He had a flat cap and a wide gray mantle such as shepherds

wear; but its hood was drawn up so that his face could not be seen. At

once the princess ran up to him, drew down his hood, fell upon his

neck and cried: "Here he is! Here he is!" Then all the people laughed;

for they saw that it was the king's herdsman, and the king himself

called out: "May God console me for the son-in-law who is to be my

portion!" The man, however, was not at all abashed, but replied: "O,

you need not worry about that at all! I am just as much a king's son

as you are a king!"



With that he flung aside his wide mantle. And there were none left to

laugh; for instead of the grey herdsman, there stood a handsome

prince, clad in gold from head to foot, and holding the princess's

golden apple in his hand. And all could see that it was the same

youth who had ridden up the Glass Mountain.



Then they prepared a feast whose like had never before been seen, and

the prince received the king's daughter, and with her half of the

kingdom. Thenceforward they lived happily in their kingdom, and if

they have not died they are living there still. But nothing more was

ever heard of the wild man. And that is the end.





NOTE



Very popular throughout the North is "The Princess on the Glass

Mountain." (Hylten-Cavallius and Stephens, p. 390, somewhat

abridged) who may be looked upon as a relative of the Brunhilde

of heroic legend, who may be brought down from her inaccessible

height only by the bravest of the brave. The "wild man" who

appears in the part of a magician to aid the hero, is a

familiar figure in Northern legend. King Harald Harfagr,

according to the "Book of Flateyar," released a "wild man" of

this kind from captivity at his father's court, when a boy of

five.