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
- ↑ 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
