knight was astonished at her great beauty, and said,

"You, Little Two Eyes, can certainly gather me a branch from the tree?"

5. "Yes," answered Little Two Eyes, "I can do that, for the tree belongs to me." And she climbed up, and

easily broke off a branch, with its silver leaves and golden fruit, and handed it to the knight.

Then the knight said, "Little Two Eyes, what shall I give you for it?"

“Oh!” answered Little Two Eyes, "I suffer hunger and thirst, sorrow and want, from early morning till late evening. If you would take me with you, and free me, I should be happy."

6. Then the knight lifted Little Two Eyes on to his horse, and took her home to his paternal castle. There he gave her beautiful clothes, food and drink as much as she wanted, and because he loved her so much he married her, and the marriage was celebrated with great joy.

7. Now, when Little Two Eyes was taken away by the handsome knight, the two sisters envied her very much her happiness. "The wonderful tree remains for us still," thought they; "and even though we can not gather any fruit from it, every one will stand still before it, come to us, and praise it." But the next morning the tree had disappeared, and all their hopes with it.

8. Little Two Eyes lived happy a long time. Once two poor women came to her at the castle, and begged alms. Then Little Two Eyes looked in their faces, and recognized her sisters, Little One Eye and Little Three Eyes, who had fallen into such poverty that they had to wander about, and seek their bread from door to door. Little Two Eyes, however, bade them welcome, and was very good to them, and took care of them; for they both repented from their hearts the evil they had done to their sister in their youth.

2. John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear,

66

Though wedded we have been
These twice ten tedious years, yet we

No holiday have seen.

4. My sister, and my sister's child,
Myself and children three,

Will fill the chaise: so you must ride
On horseback after we."

5. He soon replied, "I do admire
Of womankind but one;

And you are she, my dearest dear,
Therefore it shall be done.

6. "I am a linen-draper bold,

As all the world doth know;
And my good friend the calender 2
Will lend his horse to go."

7. Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, "That's well said;
And, for that wine is dear,

We will be furnished with our own,
Which is both bright and clear."

1 the Bell,' an inn.

2 calender, one who calenders, or presses, linen or woolen stuffs,

8. John Gilpin kissed his loving wife:
O'erjoyed was he to find

That, though on pleasure she was bent,
She had a frugal mind.

9. The morning came, the chaise was brought,
But yet was not allowed

To drive up to the door, lest all
Should say that she was proud.

10. So three doors off the chaise was stayed,
Where they did all get in,

Six precious souls, and all agog

To dash through thick and thin.

11. Smack went the whip, round went the wheels,
Were never folks so glad!

The stones did rattle underneath
As if Cheapside 1 were mad.

12. John Gilpin at his horse's side
Seized fast the flowing mane,
And up he got, in haste to ride,
But soon came down again;

13. For saddle-tree 2 scarce reached had he,
His journey to begin,

When, turning round his head, he saw
Three customers come in.

1 Cheapside, a street in London.

2 saddle-tree, literally the frame of a saddle, and here equivalent to saddle.