Yet as Flying Soot2 entered the valley on his mission for the Earth Fairy, dull-hued toads3 hopped4 away from his feet, and strange animals of hideous5 shapes left the nooks where they had lain sleeping to creep away and drowse again in[137] a more distant spot. Occasionally he saw fierce eyes glare out upon him from a dim thicket6, or beheld7 the sharp claw or lashing9 tail of some evil creature whisking itself away from his view.
Flying Soot knew them all, and feared them not. He passed unmolested on his way, and stopped within a yard of the Dragon, but so profound was the monster’s sleep that he did not stir.
“Awake, Sir Dragon!” cried Flying Soot, drawing nearer, “Awake!”
The Dragon moved one claw a little in his slumber10, but gave no other heed11.
Flying Soot drew nearer still. “Awake, Sir Dragon! Awake!” he shouted in his very ear.
Then the Dragon gave a great yawn, and his eyelids12 slowly rose.
“Ah, it is you, Flying Soot,” he[138] grunted13. “What is it that brings you here to disturb my rest?”
“I come on an errand of importance,” answered the Soot Fairy. “One in which none can give such valuable aid as the Great Black Dragon of the Gloomy Vale.”
His words pleased the Dragon. He moistened his lips and cheeks with his great tongue, and sat erect14 upon his haunches. “Let me hear your errand,” commanded he.
So Flying Soot made haste to explain why he had come, and the Dragon immediately agreed to help the Earth Fairy.
“Ho, ho!” he cried. “I shall vanquish15 this Prince quickly, you shall see, for when I choose to use them I have weapons of such power that none can stand out against them. Have no fear,[139] Flying Soot. Trust all to me, and I assure you that you and your friend the Earth Fairy, shall not be disappointed.”
Looking upon the monster’s huge form, his terrible claws, his fiercely lashing tail, Flying Soot knew that the Great Black Dragon had good cause to boast.
“I leave the matter entirely16 to you,” said he. “There is one thing more, however, that you must promise me. You must on no account harm, or even touch the fairy Veil of which I have told you. Least of all must you attempt to take it for yourself. I assure you that it is of no value to any but the Prince or the Earth Fairy. For others it will work no charm.”
The Dragon laughed loud and scornfully. “That matters naught18 to me,” he cried. “By the weapons that I carry[140] always with me I am able to accomplish what things I please. Why then should I wish for a trifle like this Veil?”
His mind entirely at rest upon that score, Flying Soot now sat himself down upon a black hillock close to the Dragon, and sought to entertain him as they waited by giving him such bits of news as he had collected in his travels. The Dragon well pleased to have him do so, listened hungrily to every word.
Meanwhile Prince Radiance, alone in a strange land, and still weary from his struggle with the Giant, sunk down upon a heap of ash and bowed his head. He wished to ponder well his course, before he again set out. Behind him lay that part of the Wide Grey Plain where the Giant dwelt who had so lately tried to destroy him. Before him, and at his left stretched a plain of ash. To[141] his right a black country opened with low lying hills and valleys wherein might lurk19 unseen dangers for them both.
As he sat there in indecision, the Earth Fairy coming in search of him, espied20 him from afar.
Princess White Flame saw him also, and uttered a cry of joy. She needed not the spur of the Earth Fairy’s wand to drive her to him. Swiftly across the desolate21 waste she flitted until he was within sound of her voice.
“Radiance, dear Radiance!” she called to him, “What happiness is mine that I have found you once more!”
Hearing that well-loved voice the Prince raised his head quickly and saw the Princess, not fleeing from him, but advancing toward him. Instantly he leaped to his feet, with arms outstretched,[142] crying in rapture22, “Nay23 my Princess, what happiness is mine that you have returned to me once more!”
He ran to her at full-speed and had well-nigh reached her, when suddenly Princess White Flame was again made sensible of the restraining wand of the Earth Fairy. Cruelly, inexorably, it drew her steadily25 away from the Prince into the black country at his right.
Seeing the distance widening between them the Prince cried aloud with grief and disappointment. Sore as was his own heart, Prince Radiance nevertheless called to her tenderly, hoping to support and comfort her. “Fear not, dearest White Flame,” he exclaimed. “Whither you go, there will I go also, and in the end my love shall conquer every spell.”
At his words the courage of the[143] Princess rose again, and with it came hope, even though she shivered as they presently entered that dark valley where the Dragon dwelt. At first it appeared to them quite deserted26, for so close the monster lay to the black ground that he looked to be but a part of the vale itself. Thus White Flame passed over him and beyond him without suspecting his presence, and Prince Radiance in his turn had advanced almost to the Dragon’s feet before he saw what lay in wait to bar his way.
Aghast at the sudden appearance of this new foe27, Prince Radiance fell back a pace to place himself on guard, scarce knowing how to defend himself against an enemy so ferocious28.
Then up rose the Dragon, black and terrible, a creature to strike terror to one less valiant29 than the Prince. “Yield[144] you, Sir Prince,” he bellowed30 hoarsely31, raising his bared claw in menace, “Yield to the Master of the Gloomy Vale.”
“I yield to none,” retorted Prince Radiance, fearlessly, “for I follow the Princess White Flame, and to her I must pass.”
“None passes where the Great Black Dragon bars the way,” roared his enemy, “and none defies him but learns to rue24 his folly32.” He crouched33 to spring; his hard and glittering eyes were fixed34 angrily upon the Prince, his tail lashed35 furiously from side to side.
The Prince knew that he must defend himself without delay if he would escape destruction. Quickly he slipped his hand beneath his mantle36 to his good Grey Pouch37, opened it, and drew forth38 a brimming handful of the fairy ash[145] that lay within. Thus was he armed against his foe.
It was none too soon, for with a roar that shook the black hillsides the Dragon sprang toward him with outstretched claws. The magic ash of the Wise One flew from the hand of Prince Radiance, and met him half-way. It fell full upon the bulging39 eye-balls of the Great Dragon, and smote40 him with instant blindness. A howl of astonishment41 and rage burst from him, but he was undismayed. Although he could no longer see to direct his weapons, he struck out boldly with his claw. Again the ashes met him and at their touch the Dragon’s terrible claw withered42 and fell powerless at his side. One by one his remaining claws met with the same fate. And now no weapon remained to him but his powerful tail—that great[146] tail with which he had thought to beat the Prince to finest dust.
But blinded as he was, he could strike only at random—could only lash8 it aimlessly from side to side. Thus, the Dragon’s last weapon was soon rendered powerless also. Before the magic of the fairy ash it shriveled at the very root, and presently it trailed limp and useless along the ground.
The Earth Fairy, watching the battle, saw that the Dragon had also failed, and anger rose hot within her. Flying Soot was quick to perceive this, and hastened to conciliate her. He tapped her gently, upon the arm saying: “My good Earth Fairy, to my great surprise I find that the Great Black Dragon is no match for the Prince after all. But do not let that discourage you. I have yet another[147] friend to whom I will take you, who is much more powerful than he.”
The Earth Fairy cut him short in wrath43. “Were you not certain that the Giant could help me?” said she. “Were you not equally certain that this wonderful Dragon was invincible44? Speak not to me of this third friend of yours, I have no faith in him.”
“Ah,” answered Flying Soot, “but how should I know that the Prince possessed45 the fairy ash of the Wise One? This alone it is that has enabled him to overcome the Black Dragon. Neither this, nor the magic coal with which he burned the Giant’s cloak will avail him however against the great magician, Curling Smoke, to whom I now propose to take you.”
“Nevertheless,” replied the Earth Fairy, “he wears a sword. Do you not[148] see it? Who knows what fairy virtue46 may dwell therein?”
Flying Soot laughed her to scorn. “Think you that if it possessed such fairy virtue that he would not long since have drawn47 this sword to cleave48 the Giant’s cloak, or to attack the Great Dragon? Nay, fear it not. ’Tis but a useless toy that he well knows will serve him not at all away from his father’s kingdom.”
The Earth Fairy glanced to where the flame of the Princess trembled between hope and fear for the Prince. She looked to where the Dragon groaning49 dismally50 lay close along the ground, his head buried between his paws. She knew that here all chance of help for herself was completely gone. She had no plan of her own that promised more than this of Flying Soot. She had[149] almost decided51 to consent to his proposal, when he caught at her sleeve. “Look quickly!” he cried, under his breath. “Do you not behold52 him there in the distance, my friend, Curling Smoke. See—there he rises in the plain beyond that dark hill. He is a marvelous magician. I am certain that he will not fail you. Do not be foolish, Earth Fairy. Permit me to go to him in your behalf. I assure you, you will not regret it.”
Urged thus, the Earth Fairy gave her consent, and Flying Soot flew off in a twinkling upon his errand of evil.
With the Dragon now fully17 vanquished53 Prince Radiance saw that he could at last pass on his way in safety. Leaving his enemy behind him he stepped boldly into the country beyond. There he discerned the flame of his[150] Princess flickering54 pure and pale against a gloomy hillside. Swiftly he hastened toward her, and presently he found himself so near that he believed he could cast the Veil upon her from where he now stood. Trembling with eagerness he felt for the golden box in which the wondrous55 Veil lay hid—found it, and pressed upon the clasp.
Alas56 for his hopes! The keen eyes of the Earth Fairy saw what he was about to do. Before he could draw out the Veil or even undo57 the clasp, the Green Wand was lifted, and by its dread58 power the Princess was once more compelled to take her flight from him who would fain have delivered her.
With a sinking heart Prince Radiance beheld her receding59 down the dark valley, but with fresh rallying of his[151] courage he called to her, “Princess, dear Princess, go if you must, but remember always that I follow—follow to the end.”
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1
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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soot
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| n.煤烟，烟尘；vt.熏以煤烟 | |
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toads
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| n.蟾蜍，癞蛤蟆( toad的名词复数 ) | |
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hopped
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| 跳上[下]( hop的过去式和过去分词 )； 单足蹦跳； 齐足（或双足）跳行； 摘葎草花 | |
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5
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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thicket
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| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
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7
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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8
lash
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| v.系牢；鞭打；猛烈抨击；n.鞭打；眼睫毛 | |
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9
lashing
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| n.鞭打；痛斥；大量；许多v.鞭打( lash的现在分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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10
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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11
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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12
eyelids
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| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
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13
grunted
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
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14
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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15
vanquish
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| v.征服，战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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16
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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17
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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18
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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lurk
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| n.潜伏，潜行；v.潜藏，潜伏，埋伏 | |
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20
espied
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| v.看到( espy的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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21
desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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22
rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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23
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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24
rue
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| n.懊悔，芸香，后悔；v.后悔，悲伤，懊悔 | |
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25
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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26
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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27
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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28
ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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29
valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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30
bellowed
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| v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的过去式和过去分词 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
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hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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32
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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33
crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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34
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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35
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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36
mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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37
pouch
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| n.小袋，小包，囊状袋；vt.装...入袋中，用袋运输；vi.用袋送信件 | |
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38
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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39
bulging
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| 膨胀； 凸出（部）； 打气； 折皱 | |
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40
smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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41
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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42
withered
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| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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43
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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44
invincible
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| adj.不可征服的，难以制服的 | |
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45
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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46
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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47
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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48
cleave
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| v．(clave；cleaved)粘着，粘住；坚持；依恋 | |
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49
groaning
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| adj. 呜咽的, 呻吟的 动词groan的现在分词形式 | |
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50
dismally
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| adv.阴暗地，沉闷地 | |
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51
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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52
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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53
vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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54
flickering
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| adj.闪烁的，摇曳的，一闪一闪的 | |
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55
wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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56
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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57
undo
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| vt.解开，松开；取消，撤销 | |
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58
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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59
receding
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的现在分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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