NOTE: Yes, Roumanian
is the correct spelling. This was the way it was spelt in 1881
Happy
to have received such a handsome remuneration, the gardener with much trouble
and pains made the garden in as good a state as it was before the folly of
Dimitri. The marriage of the second daughter took place in a short space of
time, and her father and his suite accompanied them also, to the frontier;
Didine only remaining at home under the plea of indisposition. Dimitri repeated
the same folly as on the marriage of the oldest sister, the only difference
being that this time he wore the second suit belonging to the fairies. All was
repeated as before, and to prevent his being beaten, Didine sent two handfuls
of gold to the gardener in return for his flowers. Again he worked until the
garden had once more got into good condition.
Shortly
after this the Governor organised a great chase, and while hunting he narrowly
escaped being torn to pieces by a wild boar; to celebrate his good fortune he
raised a temporary kiosque in the wood, and bade all his friends come and make
merry.
Didine
only was not there, still on the plea of indisposition. Dimitri for the third
time alone, recommenced his folly, and put on the third dress of the fairies
which was embroidered with the sun on the chest, the moon on the back, and the
morning and evening star on the sleeves.
This
time he committed such havoc that it was impossible to re-arrange the garden.
The
gardener's rage knew no bounds and he was on the point of giving Dimitri a
beating when Didine tapped at the window and asked for flowers.
With
difficulty were two or three flowers found which had escaped the hoofs of the
horse, but she gave him three handfuls of gold and begged him not to lay hands
on Dimitri. In five weeks the garden was restored and Dimitri made to promise
that he would never more commit such mischief.
The
Governor began to be anxious about his daughter Didine for she kept to the
house and seemed always sad, he proposed that she should marry the son of a
neighbouring Boyard but she would not entertain the idea, so he called his
council and asked their advice. "Governor!" said they "you must
build a great tower with a gateway, and all the pretenders to the hand of
Didine must pass under it, give to her a golden apple which she must throw to
the one whom she desires for her husband."
No
sooner said than done, the tower was built, and it was soon spread abroad that
all who wished to marry Didine must pass under this Archway. Many came, of both
high and low degree, but still she did not throw the apple, and they began to
believe that she had no wish to marry, until one of the councillors said,
"Let all those who are in your court, all those who are employed on your
estate, pass under also." So they were called, and last of all came
Dimitri who with great difficulty was persuaded to pass under. Didine at once
flung the apple at him. The Governor seeing this exclaimed, "it is a
mistake, she has hit the wrong man, let all pass through again." This was
done, and again Didine threw the apple to Dimitri. All agreed that there was no
mistake this time, and so the father unwillingly consented to her choice.
They
were married without any rejoicings and suffered to live in the Governor's
court, Dimitri earning their living as a water carrier. They were laughed at by
all, the servants even throw dust and sweepings in the direction of their room.
Inside it was very different, the horse had brought there all the wonders of
the world, not even in King's palaces were to be found such lovely things as in
their wretched dwelling.
The
other pretenders to the hand of Didine were so indignant at their rejection,
that they united together to make war on the Governor. This caused him much
pain, but he had no other alternative than to prepare for the struggle.
His
two sons-in-law brought their retainers and Dimitri asked his wife to beg of
the Governor to let him go to the battle. "Go from out of my sight,"
said the father, "you have broken my peace for ever." After much
entreaty he was prevailed on to allow Dimitri to be there, if only as a water
carrier for the soldiers.
So
in a shabby working dress, astride a wretched horse, blind and lame, he set off
in front. When the army caught him up, they found that his horse had sunk into
a bog, and he was trying with all his might to extricate it. With laughs and
jeers they passed on, leaving him alone to do the best he could. When they were
out of sight, Dimitri swiftly donned the clothes of the fairies, and mounting
his winged horse, sped to a commanding height, where he had a good view of the
troops. Seeing that the enemy was eight times greater in number, he dashed into
their midst, and slashing right and left, put them to rout in the greatest
disorder. In the effort Dimitri cut his wrist, and the Governor gave him his
handkerchief with which to bind it up.
When
the Governor's army returned victorious, they again came upon Dimitri, still
trying to extricate the miserable mare from the bog; and being in good humour
with their success, the Governor ordered his soldiers to come to his aid.
Shortly
after this, the Governor fell ill and became totally blind. All the doctors,
all the wise men, all the astrologers were called, but none could think of any
remedy.
On
awaking one morning, the Governor related that he had dreamt that if he washed
his eyes with the milk of a wild red goat, he would regain his sight. Hearing
this, his two sons-in-law set off in search of such a goat, without taking
notice of Dimitri, or asking him to accompany them. He, on his side, went out
alone, on his faithful steed, to the mountains where the red goats browsed.
Finding
quickly both sheep and goats, Dimitri milked the sheep, disguised himself as a
goat-herd, and was on the look out for his brothers-in-law. When they came up
they asked him if he had milk to sell? He answered, yes, but that having heard
of the Governor's dream, he was going to take this reel goat's milk to him.
Enquiring if he would sell the milk to them, he said he would take no money for
it, but that if they wished for the milk he would give them some, if they would
allow him to mark them with his brand on their backs.
The
sons-in-law taking council together, thought it would not do them much harm, so
they consented to being branded, and taking the milk, set off quickly to the
Governor. He took of the milk and drank it, he bathed his eyes with it, but it
had no effect.
Sometime
after came Didine with a wooden pail, saying, "Father, take this milk and
use it, it is brought by my husband-drink it, and bathe your eyes with it, I
entreat you." The Governor answered, "What good has your stupid
husband ever done to me? Is it likely he can be of any use now? Even your
brothers-in-law who aided me in battle, are no good to me. Have I not forbade
you my presence? How dare you intrude?" "I will submit to any
punishment you may think fit, father, if you will but wash your eyes with this
milk, which your loving daughter brings you." The Governor seeing that she
was so importunate, bathed his eyes with the milk again and again, until he
began to see dimly; continuing this, in a few days his sight was quite restored
to him.
On
the Governor's recovery he gave a great banquet, and Didine with her husband,
Dimitri, were allowed to sit at the lower end of the table. While the festivity
was at its height, Dimitri arose, and demanding pardon for the interruption,
enquired of the Governor if it were right for slaves to sit at the same table
as their masters. "Certainly not," said the Governor. "If that
be the case, and as all the world knows you to be a just man, give me justice,
and bid your right hand and your left hand guest, arise, for they are my
slaves, for proof of which you will find them both branded with my mark."
When
the sons-in-law heard this, they began to tremble, and were forced to confess
the truth. They were bade to rise, and place themselves behind Dimitri's chair.
Later
on Dimitri drew from his pocket, the handkerchief which the Governor gave him
to bind his wrist after the battle. "How did you come by this
handkerchief?" said the Governor, "for I gave it to the powerful man.
sent from God to aid me in the battle." "Not at all," said
Dimitri, "for you gave it to me." "Is it so? Could it have been
you who stood us in such good stead."
"I
alone," said Dimitri.
"It
is impossible that I can believe this," said the Governor, "unless
you stand before me precisely as you were when I gave you the
handkerchief." Dimitri rose from the table, and going out quickly,
returned clad in a suit of the fairies' clothes, and with his golden hair let
down, to the astonishment of the Governor and his guests. All rose and saluted
him on his entrance, the Governor complimented Didine on her choice, and
feeling that he was growing old, said he wished to relinquish the Governorship
in favour of Dimitri. This done, Dimitri's power and renown became world-wide
talk. He pardoned his brothers-in-law, and gave them good posts in the country.
His
winged horse returned to fairyland, bearing the three suits of charmed
clothing, which he no longer needed. All that remained to him was his hair
which was like threads of gold, from his having bathed in the magic bath.
His
sons and daughters inherited his beautiful hair, and the old women to this day,
believe that all true Dimitris ought to have hair as bright and golden as the
ripe maize in their cornfields.
-------------------------
From Roumanian
Fairy Tales and Legends (1881)
ISBN: 978-0-9560584-9-2
No comments:
Post a Comment