And just as he was going to give up the quest in despair, a thought came into his head, and he cried aloud for joy, for he knew he had discovered what he sought. This shows how even the most difficult things may be attained by perseverance and patience.
At the top of his speed he hastened back to the palace and asked an audience of the King. This was immediately granted, for, to tell the truth, the King was awaiting his return with considerable anxiety.
“Well,” said he, “have you succeeded in finding a way?”
“I have,” answered the venerable wizard. “My arts have not failed me!” And he handed the King a piece of parchment on which were-written the following words. They were written in Latin to make them look more important, but very likely it was not good Latin, for the venerable wizard had been apprenticed to his trade at an early age, and in consequence his classical education had been somewhat neglected. But this was the meaning of them:
No thread weave and no wheel turn;
If there’s no spindle and there’s no wheel,
Then no finger the spindle can feel.
