From a comparison of the English versions, it would appear that our tale, as narrated in England, formerly included the following incidents: I. Introduction.—This explains how it came about that a youth is obliged to proceed in quest of the castle of a giant. II. Bird-maiden.—The hero surprises three birdmaidens, bathing in human form; he seizes the feather-dress of the youngest, and returns it only on promise of assistance in his enterprise. III. Tasks and Flight.—The giant, father of the maiden, receives the stranger with severity, and imposes on him certain tasks, which are, however, accomplished by the magic arts of the daughter. The youth is then required to choose the maid, in disguise, from among her sisters; in this he succeeds by the counsel of the girl. On the wedding night, by the advice of the bride, the pair escape, leaving an object which by artmagic is made to answer the questions asked by the giant. A pursuit takes place, which is arrested by throwing out certain magical objects, interposing barriers; the giant perishes, being drowned in the sea created by drops of water, IV. Forgetfulness of the Bride.—The hero, as he approaches his father's city, goes in advance to arrange for the suitable entry of his bride. He violates her caution, receives a kiss, and is caused to fall into oblivion of the lady. Incident of the fountain; the bride is carried to the house of a peasant, whose wife and daughter, out of conceit of their own beauty, have abandoned household labour. After a time, when the prince is about to wed another, his bride, disguised as a juggler, appears at the ceremony, and by magic causes two birds to enact a drama, which has the effect of reviving the youth's memory.
To the tale as thus analysed correspond a great number of versions, from all European countries, which assume as their common original a story containing the sections and traits indicated. The variations, of course, are numerous, and these variations are often reproduced in many widely separated countries; this correspondence appears to be due to a continual intercommunication, by which even modern alterations of the narrative have been introduced into remote districts, and have obtained general circulation.[1]
- ↑ A good example is to be found in the incident of the reflection in the fountain; in the form of the tale as given in "Lady Featherflight" this is purely literary; the
