other maiden than the daughter of the cattle-keeper of that village. Father, mother, and all the courtiers endeavoured to dissuade him from this course, saying, that for him, who could choose a partner from among imperial and royal princesses, to take the daughter of a herdsman for his wife would be a shame and a disgrace. But all in vain; the prince only replied,—
"Either this maiden or none!"
When they all saw that nothing else was to be done, one of the councillors was sent to the cattle-herd to tell him that the king had chosen his daughter to become the wife of his own son. The councillor made his way to the herd, and told him of the king's decision; but the village cattle-keeper demanded of him, "What handicraft does the king's son understand?"
Upon which the messenger, disgusted, made answer,—
"Heaven be with you, oh man! What should a prince know of a handicraft? People only learn handicrafts to support themselves by; but the king's son possesses countries and cities."
But the cattle-herd simply replied,—
"That may be; but unless he understands some handicraft I cannot give him my daughter."
Then went the councillor home again and told the king what the cattle-keeper had said; at which the whole court was perfectly astonished. People had
