The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood (2)/The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood

For other versions of this work, see Sleeping Beauty.

THE

SLEEPING BEAUTY

IN THE

WOOD.

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THERE was formerly, in a distant country, a King and a Queen, the most ⟨beautiful⟩ and happy in the world; having nothing ⟨to⟩ allay their delights, but the want of ⟨children⟩ to participate in the pleasures they enjoyed. This was their whole concern, ⟨physicians⟩, waters, vows, and offerings were tried, ⟨but⟩ all to no purpose. At last however, ⟨the⟩ Queen proved with child, and in due time was brought to bed of a daughter. At ⟨the⟩ christening, the Princess had seven ⟨Fairies⟩ for her godmothers, who were all they ⟨could⟩ find in the whole kingdom, that every ⟨one⟩ of them might give her a gift.

The christening being over, a grand ⟨feast⟩ was prepared to entertain and thank the Fairies. Before each of them was placed a magnificient cover, with a case of massy ⟨gold⟩ whereon were a spoon, a knife and fork, ⟨all⟩ pure gold, and excellent workmanship, ⟨some⟩ with divers precious stones; but, as they ⟨were⟩ all sitting down at the table, they saw ⟨come⟩ into the hall, a very old Fairy, whom ⟨they⟩ ⟨had⟩ not invited, because it was near fifty ⟨years⟩ since she had been out of a certain ⟨tower⟩, and was thought to have been either ⟨dead⟩ or inchanted.

The King ordered her a cover, but could ⟨not⟩ furnish her with a case of gold as the ⟨others⟩ had, because he had only seven made ⟨for⟩ the seven Fairies. The old Fairy fancied ⟨she⟩ was slighted, by not being treated in the ⟨same⟩ sumptuous manner with the rest, and murmured out some threats between her ⟨teeth⟩.

One of the young Fairies who sat by her, ⟨overheard⟩ how she grumbled, and judging ⟨that⟩ she might give the little Princess some ⟨unlucky⟩ gift, she went as soon as she rose from the table, and hid herself behind the ⟨hanging⟩ that she might speak last, and repair, ⟨as⟩ much as possible she could, the evil which ⟨the⟩ old Fairy might intend.

In the mean while, all the Fairies began to ⟨give⟩ their gifts to the Princess in the following manner.

The youngest gave her a gift, that she ⟨would⟩ be the most beautiful person in the ⟨world⟩.

The second, that she would have wit like ⟨an⟩ angel.

The third, that she would have a ⟨wonderful⟩ grace in every thing that she did.

The fourth, that she would dance perfectly ⟨well⟩.

The fifth, that she would sing perfectly ⟨well⟩.

And the sixth, that she would play on ⟨all⟩ kinds of musical instruments to the ⟨utmost⟩ perfection.

The old Fairy's turn coming next, she advanced forward, and, with a shaking ⟨head⟩ which seemed to shew more spite then ⟨age,⟩ she said, That the Princess would have ⟨her⟩ hand pierced with a spindle, and die of ⟨the⟩ wound.

This terrible gift made the whole ⟨company⟩ tremble, and every one of them fell to ⟨crying.⟩

At this very instant, the young Fairy ⟨came⟩ out from behind the curtains, and ⟨spake⟩ these words aloud, Assure yourselves, O ⟨King⟩ and Queen, that your daughter shall not ⟨die⟩ of this disaster; it is true, I have not ⟨power⟩ to undo what my elder has done. The Princess shall indeed pierce her hand with a spindle, but instead of dying she shall only ⟨fall⟩ into a profound sleep, which shall last an hundred years; at the expiration of which, ⟨the⟩ King's Son shall come and awake her from.

The King to avoid this misfortune, ⟨told⟩ by the old splenetic and malicious ⟨Fairy⟩ caused immediately his royal ⟨proclamation⟩ to be issued forth, whereby every person ⟨was⟩ forbidden, upon the pain of death, to ⟨spin⟩ with a distaff or spindle, nay, even so ⟨much⟩ as to have a spindle in any of their houses.

About 15 or 16 years after, the King ⟨and⟩ Queen being gone to one of their houses ⟨of⟩ pleasure, the young princess happened to divert herself in going up and down the palace, when going up from one apartment to another, she at length came into a little room on the top of a tower, where a good old woman, all alone, was spinning with her spindle.

This good woman had not heard of the King's proclamation, issued forth against spindles.

What are you doing here, Goody? said the Princess. I am spinning, my pretty child, said the old woman, who did not know who she was. Ha! said the Princess, this is very pretty; how do you do it? Give it me, that I may see if I can do so. The old woman to satisfy the child's curiosity, granted her request. She had no sooner taken it into her hand, than, whether being very hasty at it, somewhat unhandy, or that the decree of the spiteful Fairy had ordained, is not to be certainly ascertained; but, however, it immediately ran into her hand, and she directly fell down upon the ground into a swoon.

The good old woman, not knowing what to do in this affair, cried out for help. People came in from every quarter in great numbers: Some threw water upon the Princess' face, unlac'd her, struck her on the palms of her hands, and rubbed her temples with Hungary Water, but all they could do, did not bring her to herself.

The good Fairy, who had saved her life by condemming her to sleep one hundred years, was in the kingdom of Matakin, twelve thousand leagues off, when this accident befel the Princess, but she was instantly informed of it by a little Dwarf, who had boots of seven leagues, that is, boots with which he could tread over seven leagues of ground at one stride. The Fairy left the kingdom immediately, and arrived at the palace in about an hour after, in a fiery chariot drawn by dragons.

The King handed her ⟨out⟩ of the chariot, and she approved every thing he had done; but as she had a very great foresight, she thought that when the Princess would awake, she might not know what to do with herself, being all alone in this old palace, therefore, she touched with her wand every thing in the palace (except the King and Queen) governesses, maids of honour, ladies of the bedchamber, gentlemen, officers, stewards, cooks, under-cooks, and scullions, guards, with their beef-eaters, pages and footmen. She likewise touched all the horses that were in the stables, as well pads as others, the great dog in the outer court, and the pretty little Mopsey too, the Princess' little spaniel bitch, which lay by her on the bed.

Immediately on her touching them, they all fell asleep. that they might not awake before their Mistress, and that they might be ready to wait upon her when she wanted them. The very spits at the fire, as full as they could of partridges and peasants; and every thing in the palace whether animate or inanimate, did fall asleep also.

All this was done in a moment; for Fairies are not long in doing their business.

And now the King and Queen having kissed ⟨their⟩ dear child, without waking her, went out of the palace, and put forth a proclamation, that nobody should come near it. This however was unnecessary, for in less than a quarter of an hour, there grew up all round the park, such a vast number of trees, great and small bushes, and brambles twining one with another, that neither man nor beast could pass thro', so that nothing could be seen but the very tops of the towers of the palace; and not that too unless it was a good way off. Nobody doubted but the Fairy gave therein, a very extraordinary sample of her art, that the Princess, while she continued sleeping, might have nothing to fear from any curious people.

When an hundred years were gone and past, the son of a King then reigned, and who was of another family from that of the sleeping Princess, being out a hunting, on that side of the country, asked what these towers were which he saw in the middle of a great thick wood; every one answered according as they had heard; some said, is was an old ruinous castle haunted by spirits; others, that all the sorcerers and witches of the country kept their sabbath or weekly meeting in that place.

The most common opinion was, that an Ogree ^[1] lived there, and that he carried thither all the little children he could catch, that he might eat them up at leisure, without any body being able to follow him, as having himself only power to pass through the wood.

The Prince was at a stand, not knowing what to believe, when an aged man spoke to him thus:

"May it please your Highness,

It is about fifty years since I heard from my father, who heard my grand-father say, that there was then in this castle a Princess, the most beautiful that was ever seen, that she must sleep there an hundred years, and would be wakened by a King's son, for whom she was reserved."

The young Prince was all on fire at these words, believing, without considering the matter, that he could put an end to this rare adventure; and, pushed on by love and honour, resolved that moment to look into it.

Scarce had he advanced towards the wood, when all the great trees, the bushes, and brambles, gave way of their own accord, and let him pass through. He went up to the castle which he saw at the end of a large avenue, which he went into; and what not a little surprised him, was, he saw none of his people could follow him, because the trees closed again, as soon as he passed through ⟨them⟩.

However, he did not cease from valiantly continuing his way.

He came into a spacious outward court, where every thing he saw might have frozen up the most hardy person with horror. There ⟨reigned⟩ all over a most frightful silence; the ⟨image⟩ of death every where shewed itself ⟨and⟩ there was nothing to be seen but stretched out bodies of men and animals, all seeming ⟨to⟩ be dead. He, however, very well knew by the ruby faces and pimpled noses of the Beef-eaters, that they were only asleep, and ⟨their⟩ goblets, wherein still remained some ⟨few⟩ drops of wine, plainly shewed, that they ⟨all⟩ fell asleep in their cups.

He then, crossing a court paved with marble, went up stairs, and came into the guard-⟨chamber⟩, where the guards were standing in ⟨their⟩ ranks, with muskets upon their shoulders, and snoring as loud as they could. After that he went through several rooms full ⟨of⟩ gentlemen and ladies, all asleep, some ⟨standing⟩, and others sitting. At last, he ⟨came⟩ into a chamber all gilt with gold, here ⟨he⟩ saw upon a bed, the curtains of which were all open, the finest sight that ever he ⟨beheld⟩, a Princess, who appeared to be about ⟨15⟩ or 16 years of age, and whose bright, and ⟨in⟩ a manner resplendent beauty, had somewhat in it divine: he approached with trembling and admiration, and fell down before her on his knees.

And now the inchantment was at an end, the Princess awaked, and looking on him with eyes more tender than the first view might seem to admit of: "Is it you my Prince," said she to him, "you have waited a long time."

The Prince charmed with these words; and much more with the manner in which they were spoken, assured her, that he loved her better than himself. Their discourse was so well conducted, they did weep more than talk, little eloquence, a great deal of love. He was more at a loss than she, and no wonder, as she had time to think on what to say to him, for, it is very probable, though the history mentions nothing of it, that the good Fairy during so long a sleep, had given her very agreeable dreams. In short they talked four hours together, and yet said not half that they had got to say.

In the mean time, all the palace awaked, every one thinking on his particular business; and, as all of them were not in love, they were ready to die with hunger; the chief lady of honour being as sharp set as the others, grew very impatient, and told the Princess aloud, that supper was served up. The Prince helped the Princess to rise, she was intirely dressed, and very magnificently; but his Royal Highness did not forget to tell her that she was dressed like his grandmother, and had a point-band peeping over a high collar, but, however, she looked not less beautiful and charming for all that.

They went into the great hall of looking-glasses, where they supped, and were served by the Princess's officers; the violins and haut-boys played old tunes; but very excellent, though it was now about an hundred years since they had played: and, after supper, without losing any time, the Lord Almoner married them in the chapel of the castle, and the chief Lady of honour drew the curtains.

They had but very little sleep that night, the Princess had no occasion, and the Prince left her the next morning, to return into the city, where his father had been in great pain for him.

The Prince told him he had lost his way in the forest as he was hunting, and had lain at the cottage of a collier, who had given him some brown bread and cheese.

The King his Father, who was a very good man, readily believed him; but his Mother the Queen, could not be persuaded that this was altogether true, and seeing that he went almost every day a hunting, and that he had always some excuse ready for so doing, tho' he had lain out three or four nights together, she began to suspect, and very justly too, his having some little private amour on hand, which then he endeavoured she should remain ignorant of.

Now these frequent excursions which he then made from the palace, were the times that he retired to the Princess, with whom he lived in this manner for about two years, and by whom he had two fine children, the eldest of whom was a girl, whom they named Morning, and the youngest a boy, whom they named Day, because he was a great deal handsomer, and much more beautiful and comely than his sister.

The Queen's jealousy increasing, she several times spake to her son, desiring him to inform her after what manner he spent his time; alledging, that as he saw her so very uneasy; he ought, in duty, to satisfy her: but he never dared to trust her with the secret, he feared her though he loved her, for she was of the race of Ogrees, and the King would certainly not have married her, had it not been for her vast riches.

It was whispered about the court, that she had an Ogerish inclination, and that whenever she saw little children going by, she had all the difficulty in the world to refrain falling upon them, and so the Prince would never tell her one word.

But when the king was dead, which happened about two years afterwards, and he saw himself Lord and Master, he then openly declared his marriage, and went in great ceremony to conduct his Queen to the palace. They made a very magnificent entry into the capital city, she riding in a triumphal car, with her two children beside her.

Some time after, the King went to make war with the Emperor Cantalabute, his neighbour.

He left the government of the Kingdom to the Queen his mother, and earnestly recommended to her the care of his wife and children.

As soon as he was departed, the Queen sent for her daughter-in-law to come o her, and then sent her to a country-house among the woods, that she might with more ease and secrecy gratify her inclinations.

Some few days after she went to this country-house herself, and calling for the clerk of the kitchen, she said to him, I have a mind to eat little Morning for my dinner to-morrow.

Ah! Madam, cried the clerk of the kitchen, in a very great surprise.--

No excuse, replied she, interrupting him, I will have it so, and thus she spoke in the tone of an Ogress, seeming to have a strong desire to taste fresh meat; and to make the dish more delicious, added she, I will eat her with Sauce Robert ^[2]

This poor man, knowing very well how dangerous it was to play tricks with Ogresses, took his great knife and went up into little Morning's chamber; she was then four years old, and came up to him jumping and laughing, to take him about the neck, and asked him for some sugar candy; on which he began to weep, and the knife fell out of his hand, and he went into the back yard and killed a little lamb, and dressed it with such good sauce that his mistress assured him, she had never ate any thing so good in all her life.

He had, at the same time, taken up little Morning, and carried her to his wife, in order that she might be concealed in a lodging he had at the bottom of the court-yard.

The Queen's lascivious appetite (according to her own apprehenson) being once humoured, she again began to long for another dainty bit; accordingly a few days after, she called for the clerk of the kitchen, and told him, that she intended that night to sup upon little Day; he answered never a word, being resolved to cheat her as he had done before. He went out to find little Day, and saw him with a foil in his hand, with which he was fencing with a monkey, the child being but three years old: he took him up in his arms. and carried him to his wife, that she might conceal him in her chamber along with his sister, and in the room of little Day, cooked up a young kid, very tender, and which the Ogress praised as much as the former, saying, It was wonderfully good.

All hitherto, was mighty well, but a few evenings after, this craving Ogress, said to the clerk of the kitchen; I will also eat the young Queen with the same sauce that I had with her children

Now was the critical time that the poor clerk despaired of being able to deceive her.

The young Queen was turned of twenty years of age (not counting the hundred she had been asleep) though her skin was somewhat tough, yet fair and beautiful, and how to find a beast in the yard so firm, was what puzzled him, and made him at a loss.

He then took a resolution, that he must save his own life and cut the Queen's throat; and going into her chamber, with an intent to do it at once, he put himself into as great a fury as he could, and went into the Queen's room, with his dagger in his hand. However, his humanity would not allow him to surprise her, but he told her with a great deal of respect, the order he had received from the Queen her mother.

Do it, said she, stretching out her neck, execute your orders, and then I shall see my children whom I so dearly loved, for she thought them dead ever since they had been taken from her.

No, no, fair Princess, cried the humane clerk of the Kitchen, all in tears, you shall see your children again, but then you shall go with me to my lodgings, where I have concealed them, and I shall deceive the Queen once more, by giving her another young kid in your stead.

Upon this, he forthwith conducted her to his chamber, where leaving her to embrace her children, and cry aloud with them, he went and dressed a young kid, which the Queen had for supper, and devoured it with the same appetite, as though it had been the young Queen.

Now was she exceedingly delighted with this unheard of cruelty, and she had invented a story to tell the King at his return, how the mad wolves had eaten up the Queen his wife, with her two children.

One evening some time after, as she was, according to her usual custom, rambling about the court and yards of the palace, to see if she could smell any fresh meat, she heard in a ground room, little Day crying, for his mother was going to whip him, because he had been guilty of some fault, and she heard at the same time, little Morning soliciting for pardon for her brother.

The Ogress presently knew the voice of the Queen, and her children, and being quite in a rage to think she had been thus deceived, she commanded, the next morning, by break of day, (in a most horrible voice, which made every one tremble) that they should bring into the middle of the great court a very large tub, which she caused to be filled with toads, vipers, snakes, and all sorts of serpents, in order to have thrown into it the Queen and her children, the clerk of the kitchen, his wife and maid; all of whom she had given orders to be brought thither with their hands tied behind them, to suffer the vengeance of the incensed Ogress.

They were brought out accordingly, and the executioners were going to throw them into the tub, when the King fortunately entered the court on horseback; and asked, with the utmost astonishment, what was the meaning of this most horrible spectacle; no one dared to tell him. When the Ogress, all enraged to see what had happened, threw herself, head foremost, into the tub, and was instantly devoured by the ugly creatures, she had ordered to be thrown into it for others.

The King could not but chuse being very sorry, for she was his Mother; but he soon comforted himself with his beautiful wife, and his two pretty children. And, after all things were settled, he well rewarded the clerk of the kitchen for his wisdom, humanity, and compassion.

THE MORAL.

TO get a husband, rich, gentle, and gay
Of humour sweet, sometime to stay
Is natural enough 'tis true;
But then to wait an hundred years,
And all the while asleep, appears
A thing intirely new.
Now at this time of day,
Not one in all the sex we see,
To sleep with such sound tranquility,
But yet this Fable seems to let us know,
That very often Hymen's bliss is sweet,
Although some tedious obstacles they meet,
Which makes us for them a long while to stay
And not less happy for approaching slow,
And that we nothing lose by such delay.
But warm'd by nature's lambent fires,
The sex so ardently aspires,
Of this blest state the sacred joys to embrace.
And with each earnest heart pursue 'em,
I've not the will I must confess,
Nor yet the power or fine address,
To preach this Moral to 'em.

1. An Ogree is a Giant with long teeth and claws, with a raw head and bloody bones; who runs away with naughty little boys and girls, and eats them all up
2. This is a French sause, made up with onions shred and boiled tender in butter, to which are added, vinegar, mustard, salt, pepper, and a little wine.