In ages vastly remote there lived in a distant land a king of such prowess and renown¹, that his name was known throughout the four regions of the compass. His name was Ludovico. [356]His power was increased twofold by his attachment² to an aged³ magician, to whom he was tied by strong bonds of friendship.

 

Ludovico had an extremely lovely daughter by the name of Clotilde. Ever since his arrival at the palace the magician had been passionately⁴ in love with her; but his extreme old age and his somewhat haughty⁵ bearing were obstacles in his path to success. Whenever he made love to her, she turned aside, and listened instead to the thrilling tales told by some wandering minstrel. The magician finally succumbed⁶ to the infirmities of old age, his life made more burdensome by his repeated disappointments. He left to the king three enchanted⁷ winged horses; to the princess, two magic necklaces of exactly the same appearance, of inimitable workmanship and of priceless worth. Not did the magician fall to wreak⁸ vengeance⁹ on the cause of his death. Before he expired, he locked Clotilde and the three magic horses in a high tower inaccessible¹⁰ to any human being. She was to remain in this enchanted prison until some man succeeded in setting her free.

 

Naturally, King Ludovico wanted to see his daughter before the hour of his death, which was fast approaching. He offered large sums of money, together with his crown and Clotilde’s hand, to anybody who could set her free. Hundreds of princes tried, but in vain. The stone walls of the tower were of such a height, that very few birds, even, could fly over them.

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