also, only a few travelers discover their way in, because the road that runs that way is hidden in a rosy mist.
This mist-avenue winds around and around a hoop of mountains that are dreadfully tough to find on the map–and sometimes aren't at the map in any respect.
You want not study this primary component except you like. it is only a preface, and normally humans skip them. The story starts right here.
***
The King’s highway that ran east and west through the city of Midas become a fantastic dual carriageway. The buildingsfronting upon it, the homes, stores, palaces and church buildings, had all been coloured a excellent golden hue, and the cupolas, spires, turrets and domes topping the homes have been tipped and touched with gold-leaf.
the road turned into flagged with stones of private yellow, and the entire avenue turned into so radiant and resplendent that the residents frequently wore smoked glasses once they walked abroad at midday-day.
Upon a exquisite topaz mounted towards the door of the town hall and court residence, turned into engraved the legend of King Midas of the golden touch, he who had based the metropolis and made it his home. To the legend become added a short word telling that the metropolis fathers had thought it sensible to colour the homes yellow, in memory of the bewitchment that had years in the past encounter the avaricious King, and the miracle of his deliverance from it.
This was a warning to every person to beware of covetousness and greed and the evils of their wake.
Small heed did the good people pay to the phrases graven at the topaz, and long and loudly they grumbled at the taxes placed upon them, for it cost a whole lot money to paint and varnish and gold-leaf the buildings on the superb avenue.
of their coronary heart of hearts, likely, they took delight within the highway, for irrespective of how an awful lot they grumbled they paid the taxes directly.
Now the maximum lovely thing on all of the lovely dual carriageway and the maximum outstanding, changed into an apple tree.
It stood in the middle of a bit rectangular before the city hall, and it turned into by using some distance the most prized possession of the dwellers within the city of Midas–from the oldest inhabitant, tottering on his shrunken legs to rest in its shadow, to the youngest baby, tottering also, however on dimpled toes to where he should stand and marvel at its shining burden of apples.
For this apple tree was of gold, root and branch and leaf and fruit. It was the only golden truth in an area of golden frauds.
so long as anyone may want to recall, the tree were there, and so long as all people they'd ever visible should recollect. Musty documents filed away in musty drawers, and old, antique letters and deeds-of-law with crumbling edges, mentioned it casually.
ancient wills and testaments bore historic seals stamped with a photo of this very tree.
Generations came and went, models got here in and went out, however the antique, but ever-young apple tree lifted its golden branches to the sky, serene and unchanged.
It become taken for granted that on that some distance-off day when King Midas turned into bewitched of the golden touch, and laid hands so energetically on every object round him, which includes the very timber and flora of his lawn, he had touched this apple tree also, and through abnormal alchemy turned it to the valuable metal.
in addition, it became intended that within the King’s hour of repentance, when he sprinkled the magic water on all thegolden lawn to transform it again into a place of inexperienced growing matters, this tree had been forgotten or neglected, until the water changed into all gone.
An occasional stranger gazed with awe at the tree of thriller and asked questions about it, but the citizens, who, for the maximum part have been easy and unlettered, and given to seeing the pixies and warlocks and fairies that came and went in their personal mountains, regarded the tree with pleasure but little interest, and as human beings do regard thingsthey have continually regarded.
A sentinel marched in the front of it night time and day, at the same time as to the very left of it became the city Pillory, and to the right the metropolis Gallows. there has been no chance traveler who had found his way along the rose-misty road and followed it into the golden town, who did no longer speedy research simply why the pillory and the gallows had been at the right and left of the splendid tree. He changed into straightway knowledgeable that any man or woman who as a lot as touched a leaf with even the tip of a finger, become, without rite, made fast within the pillory to languish there, whatever the climate, for one complete day; even as that antisocial who, for wanton mischief, folly, or thievishness, broke a golden apple from its branch, became with out plenty ado speedy hung upon the gallows.
whether through reason of this law or because of sentiment, the tree changed into seldom molested, and the sentinel had however a dull lifestyles. apart from those simple regulations the town-folks have been unfastened to come and passunder the golden factor, and there has been no greater desired assembly-location than the grassy circle shadowed by means of the out-flung glittering branches. it could be temptation turned into lessened, because the apples and leaves hung excessive above the attain of any however the very longest arm.
Now, it became upon a sure July afternoon that various matters happened in the city of Midas that afterwards had beenwritten down in the town chronicles, and so appear well worth telling approximately.
The afternoon turned into so warm that the extraordinary avenue turned into deserted. A white-haired priest crossing in the front of the town hall suddenly stopped, after which as even though exhausted, sat down on a bench underneath the tree.
The sentinel on duty before it tramped slowly up and down and located time heavy on his arms. His uniform turned intotight and hot and of a flaming scarlet. His boots shone as though manufactured from polished metal, even as his helmet and musket felt heavy as lead.
Little waves of heat quivered up from the ground, and at intervals a locust sang its unexpected music of the solar. The mild glanced down thru the golden tree until each man or woman leaf and apple regarded to shoot hot rays at him.
It changed into the type of day while puppies go mad, and those are apt to do matters unaccountable and foreign to their natures; while sturdy guys inside the fields dread a stroke from heaven, and little babies wilt like flowers left with out rain.
The vintage priest nodded in the warm colour, and the sentinel went to and fro monotonously, all misery within, all grandeur with out. He was ill of his assignment, ill of the warmth and silence, and aimlessly wanted for something to happen–for anything, indeed, to occur that could serve to distract his mind until the hour of launch.
And some thing did show up.
a long way down the golden highroad he saw a person coming closer to him, swinging alongside at a rapid canine-trot.
The sentinel stood inventory-still, due to the fact there has been a lot that become unusual about the going for walksdetermine. additionally, it changed into odd that all of us ought to travel so speedy in the brilliant warmth. The sentinel gazed, and wondered what method there was–if any–on this seeming midsummer insanity.
On got here the swinging figure down the abandoned, astonishing avenue, and now the sentinel recognized him.
“The King’s lion-tamer!” he exclaimed to the air. “properly! by means of my musket, he has less sense than I ideaotherwise is mightily pressed for time, whatever can he want in one of these hurry on one of these day? In reality thoserobust fellows, all brawn and muscle, have small brains; but i'm able to discover his business when he comes nearer.”
On got here the King’s lion-tamer along the dual carriageway, as though he have been the winged Mercury.
His wavy hair, thick and solar bleached till it changed into tawny as a lion’s mane, flew out around his head. He wore a leopard pores and skin about his body, and his incredible shoulders and limbs gleamed like bronze towards the yellow fur. simplest did it display white on his brow wherein the hair blew again.
There had been sandals of tanned leather on his bare toes, and above one knee changed into a golden garter set with topaz.
On and on he came, and his pace quickened as he reached the little grassy rectangular earlier than the city corridor, in which stood the golden apple tree.
“Halt!” cried the sentinel as he came up, greater to suggest that he changed into in command, than for any uniquepurpose. but the lion-tamer gave now not the slightest heed. He stopped most effective while he was fairly beneath the tree. Then he threw lower back his head, and regarded up into the glittering branches, and his breath got here in heavy gasps.
The sentinel watched him interestingly, mouth ajar. The vintage white-haired priest woke up and leaned forward on his cane, looking also.
The lion-tamer glanced from one to the alternative and a bit smile flashed throughout his face. Then he stretched an arm toward the branch above his head.
“Watch tough, my buddies!” he stated. “As there are no others approximately, I depend upon you for witnesses. Behold me pluck the forbidden fruit.”
The vintage priest rose with a pointy cry; the sentinel sprang ahead with musket leveled.
“Take down your arm!” he commanded. “What might you do? He who even touches the tree is punished grievously, however he who plucks the fruit is a useless man! Take down your arm! Take it down!”
His phrases trailed off into a cry of horror, for the lion-tamer had sprung upon his sturdy younger feet, stuck an apple and twisted and damaged it from the bough!
Then he stepped out into the daylight and tossed the golden component excessive into the air, catching it because it fell.
The sentinel’s knees shook beneath him and he turned cold in his hot uniform. His whole frame wilted limply for a moment, then stiffened.
“The penalty! The penalty!” he exclaimed. “Do you now not realize it, O rash fellow? I take you prisoner within the King’s call! by means of my religion, it's far a aspect I hate to do, for ’twill be difficult to see so fine a person meals for carrion crows.”
The old priest had risen tremblingly to his ft, and now stood as one bothered with horror. “Why have you ever achievedthis issue?” he asked, his face white and stern. “have you ever any purpose for this unpardonable act?”
“In sooth, properly father, i've a motive,” the lion-tamer responded, with still the identical smile. “I preference loss of life. this is a directly avenue to it, so they tell me. i've not lived lengthy in your u . s ., however this lots the veriest stranger soon learns.”
“but why would you die?” he asked. “have you dedicated some sin, a sin too exceptional to stay and atone for? Nay, I can not think that feasible when I have a look at thy face.”
the man shrugged his shoulders. “It isn't for my sins I desire to die, exact father,” he stated–”even though i have sins in lots–however by way of cause of a coronary heart-pain this is too exceptional to be borne.”
“A heart-pain!” exclaimed the old priest. “Thou wouldst throw away life with all it approach–thy lovely life, now at excessive-tide–due to a heart-ache! Thou need to be mad or very, very younger. i might recognise what has precipitatedthee so hard an pain as that. Come–sit down through me at the bench. The sentinel will supply us grace of a scant half-hour ere he's taking thee in fee.
“Make me thy confessor. Thy time may be short while the people hear of this deed.”
They took their places on the little bench and the sentinel, relatively addle-pated from the sun and the unexpected dutyand horror of the moment, made no protest, however stood dumbly on defend.
The priest grew to become his face, nevertheless white and stern, to the person beside him. “if you have aught to tell me, my son,” he began, “i'm over-equipped to concentrate, and to present assist and consolation. Nay, more. I discover it in my soul to make excuse for thy rash deed, if you supply me motive. nonetheless recall in this I communicate for myself alone, no longer for the human beings.”
The lion-tamer became the golden apple round in his hand, looking at it absently.
“Wouldst sincerely realize why I desire to die? artwork that tons involved concerning me, excellent father?”
“Of a fact–yes, my son!” answered the antique man fast.
The lion-tamer glanced up through the golden branches to the blue past, and then down on the priest with a suddenboyish smile, half-diffident, however fully confiding.
“nicely, then,” he said slowly, “nicely, then, it was just by way of purpose of sour loneliness–and of affection.”
“of affection?” exclaimed the old priest. “of affection, dost thou say? Of loneliness it could be a person would die, but now not of love, methinks.”
the person nodded his tawny head in contradiction.
“pay attention, excellent father,” he said. “I come from a country a ways from right here–a totally far usa. In that usa my father was a noble and i his eldest son. We had much land of woodland and flow and lake and meadow.” His eyes grew absent and misty again, and he paused.
“sure?” puzzled the priest.
“struggle got here into my united states of america,” he went on. “My father fought and turned into killed. I fought additionally and turned into taken captive. They bore me, sure, many leagues on into an unknown land, and left me in a prison whose whereabouts I do now not recognize. I simplest understand that as I counted time, 5 years went via in unspeakable solitude and silence.” He paused again, and the shield stepped a little nearer to listen.
“after which?” stated the antique priest.
“and then I escaped. I escaped by way of night; and while the morning broke determined myself on a avenue that wound round a mountain; a lovely road overhung with a rosy mist.
“This I accompanied, accurate father, and it brought me to the city of Midas.”
“Oh!” nodded the holy father. “To our properly metropolis, my son?”
“sure,” he responded. “i used to be so glad at being unfastened that weariness and sorrow slipped from me. I felt the joy of kids and strength again, after a few weeks’ relaxation at an hotel on the edge of the metropolis, just in the amazing walls. I paid the lodge-keeper and his wife for his or her kindness by using pruning their orchard. even as there I chanced to pay attention that the King’s lion-tamer was dead and he searched for some other. Now, correct father, I own a ordinary gift. At home they stated one of the fairies had given it to me in my cradle. however that may be, i have the present to these days. it is no less than an influence strong and strong over beasts and birds, each wild and tame. by means of my eyes i can maintain them, through my voice i will allure them, by way of my touch i will trap them, and my beckoning they maycomply with unless they be unwell or below some spell of insanity. This present i found when i was a little baby. The animals of the wooded area and area had been my comrades; I knew no fear of them and that they no fear of me. We understood every other.
“So now I said to myself: i will go to the king and provide to take the vicinity of the useless lion-tamer! This I did, and wascustomary and made keeper and teacher of the royal beasts.”
“I heard,” stated the priest, “there has been any other younger keeper. reviews said the king’s former lion-tamer have been killed via a lioness.”
The defend nodded in affirmation and stepped nearer, listening.
The lion-tamer became the golden apple in his hand. “by way of Jessica,” he stated casually. “She is still half of-wild and unsure in her moods. but to my tale, suitable father. i've been keeper of the beasts since the iciness months and have been content after a style till these days. Early in spring the little Princess and her women got here to watch me teach the young lions, and–and i noticed the woman Belledowin.”
The priest gave a begin. “The woman Belledowin!” he exclaimed. “The courtroom beauty! Is she again at the castle? Her mourning for the antique duke, her father, has been short.”
“She is at court,” the person spoke back. “She is the primary girl-in-waiting to the Princess. I noticed her–and loved her, correct father,” he ended.
“however there is more to be told, my son?” urged the priest.
“a bit greater, genuinely,” he back. “often after that first visit to the lions’ quarters the Princess and her girls got here once more to appearance on at the same time as I placed the beasts via their play. It was for the ones quick moments I lived. To-day in the remarkable heat, they got here again, the little Princess and the others; the lady Belledowin additionally. I saw them coming through the bushes and vegetation of the lawn, like a flock of brilliant butterflies.
“you recognize, possibly, the lions’ quarters? it is on the a ways facet of the first rate Imperial gardens, and thoughsynthetic is like a piece of the barren region. pretty wonderfully find it irresistible. There are silver-gray rocks growing out of the crimson and yellow sand. The cages are nearly invisible by using purpose of being painted want to the wildernessshades.
“The wall is stone, topped with open iron work, and there is a mighty gate barred on the out of doors, so while the beasts are accurately caged the courtiers may also enter the quarters. The timid are frequently content material to leaf throughthe iron fence.
“The female Belledowin reached the awesome gate first, and i went to meet her from inside the enclosure–for to-day it changed into not safe to enter. She already had drawn the bronze bolts after I got here up, and we met in the open gateway. I trembled at sight of her beauty. in the afternoon light it turned into like a radiance that blinded one.
“‘It isn't safe to go into the lions’ quarters to-day, woman Belledowin,’ I stated. ‘Even my small gate at the a long wayaspect is double locked and forbidden to all however the water and food-carriers. Jessica has almost wrecked her cage. The door fastenings are unfastened, and i have now not yet determined wherein to transport her.’
“She laughed and threw a backward glance at the Princess and the court girls who were coming close to.
“‘Pasanello’–that is the name I endure here, suitable father–’Pasanello says it is dangerous to go into the enclosure,’ she stated. ‘The locks are sprung on one of the cages, so he tells me; however I choose to suppose he desires to frighten us, and belittle our courage. i'm honestly entering into. I choice to select, to-day, the lion-cub the king promised have to be mine.’
“The little Princess ran to lady Belledowin and stuck her hand. You, possibly, know the little Princess and her methods, correct father?”
“i have seen and heard of her,” answered the old guy.
“She possesses the sweetest heart and kindest in all of the courtroom, ’tis stated,” went on the lion-tamer. “Now in mostearnest fashion she coaxed female Belledowin to give up the thought of going near the cages. however it was vain. Had the Princess commanded she wishes need to have obeyed, but she would not reply to a request. With a bit light and boldgiggle she entered and swung the gate at the back of her.
“Then she ran down the stone steps into the enclosure. it's far a hundred yards to the cages, however Jessica had visiblethe new determine and became pacing her cage furiously.
“girl Belledowin took no heed of the warnings. She went on toward the cage wherein the lion cubs have been napping, her rose-coloured gown of some mild silk, fluttering about her. The cubs, proper father, belong to Jessica, and have beenremoved from her because she injured one.
“Now because the lioness saw girl Belledowin technique them, she quivered with fresh rage; then gave a first-rate roar, burst the door of her cage, and with one sure came midway to my lady throughout the sand. There the splendid beast crouched flat, collecting pressure for the fatal spring. female Belledowin stood as though turned to snow. She neither spoke nor cried out. at the same time as one’s heart has time to overcome once I stood additionally. Then I leaped to her aspect.
“The lioness crouched nevertheless, and that i faced her, fixing my eyes on her two blazing eyes. I ought to see her begin to tremble thru her nerve-racking muscular tissues. I gazed steadfastly at her, conserving my female Belledowin backwith one arm. to transport would had been deadly.
“There we stood. I grew to become bloodless and my face grew wet as with rain.
“nonetheless we stood and i abruptly felt my force over the lioness weakening. At that instantaneous she sprang–howeverdropped a scant yard short of my girl.
“‘Run! Run!’ I cried to her. ‘that is the one hazard. before she springs once more! Run–and make fast the gate!’
“I heard the silken flutter of her robe as she ran, but I did now not withdraw my eyes from the eyes of the lioness. She crouched once more where she had alighted, baffled and maddened.
“An inch closer I moved to her, the sweat nevertheless bloodless on my face.
“Backward she crept an inch. So we went, she and i observing steadfastly. returned and back she crept, and that i ahead. Ever she lashed her tail softly and in her throat changed into a sound now not exact to hear,–yet she crept back.
“when her cage turned into reached I stood pretty nonetheless and straight and spoke.
“‘enter!’ I known as inside the voice she knew and changed into used to obey.
“‘enter, Jessica!’
“With drooping head she swung as on a pivot, and shrank into the cage. The muttering in her throat resulted in a sort ofsob, and that i had conquered.
“I closed the damaged door, and known as to one of the cage men who now came running; with soldering iron, he made the door rapid, and to-morrow the lioness will be transferred to a newer cage.”
there was a pause–then “To-morrow!” he stated once more and gave a brief chuckle.
“however that isn't all, my son?” puzzled the priest once more.
“No,” Pasanello lower back, “even though i might it were. This follows, top father. when the lioness became made safe I went up into the garden in which the little Princess and her ladies still stood in anxious silence, the girl Belledowin in theirmidst. She turned into but white as pushed snow, and her eyes have been darkish and wide as with lingering horror. There regarded to me additionally to be anger in them–anger of a type at herself, and on the whole incident. but she stood straight and beautiful as one whose pride nevertheless dominated. in no way had she seemed so beautiful.
“‘Ah, Pasanello,’ she said, with cool sweetness. ‘in any case, you were right, and i incorrect. It appears I owe you my existence. What can i come up with in token of eternal gratitude?’
“excellent father, I checked out her and become dazzled as by means of the sun. For the instant I forgot i used to be no longer in my very own country, forgot i was the King’s lion-tamer, and but a mountebank of the court. Forgot the little organization of courtroom ladies. I lifted her hand to my lips. ‘i really like you!’ I stated. ‘i really like you! I ask no gift of existence however your love.’
“My words stopped and there was a extraordinary silence, as though the female Belledowin and the little Princess and the others stood pretty breathless for that 1/2 second.
“Then girl Belledowin drew her hand from mine and struck me lightly on the cheek. Catching a bracelet from her arm, she threw it down at my feet.
“‘you're insolent!’ she said in a voice low but sharp as metallic.
“‘Insolent past belief. which include you are paid in gold. They render no provider that can't be so paid. choose up the bracelet that can pay thee!’
“I stood inventory nevertheless and noticed it glittering at the grass. The court docket girls turned and drifted away through the bushes like shadows, girl Belledowin with them.
“nevertheless I stood, my heart pounding against my aspect with rage and with discomfort. i was as one consumed with rage and ache; one deaf and ignorant of the whole thing else. There got here a tender contact on my arm. I appeareddown and noticed the Princess.
“‘Pasanello,’ she stated, ‘you are very brave; very remarkable. The female Belledowin become cruel–more merciless than the lioness could had been. we will now not forgive the lady Belledowin for her manner of talking to you. however you, Pasanello, you want now not substantially care. it's miles most effective ourselves can harm ourselves.‘
“‘top-by way of, Pasanello,’ she stated, leaving me. ‘Be brave nonetheless, Pasanello.’
“The words came to me best as in a dream. suddenly I bethought me of the golden apple tree. A weariness of life shook me. i would be executed with loneliness and humiliation–yes–and love.
“I left the King’s garden and took the highway. possibly I ran; I do now not remember. but, appropriate father, this is all. The rest you recognize.”
The sentinel laid his hand at the lion-tamer’s shoulder. He stiffened to his mission. “by using my musket, you've got been lengthy winded!” he stated. “If yon holy father had now not detained you, you would have, this remaining 1/2-hour, been safe in the courtroom house.” His eyes belied the gruff words, however leveling his rifle he signaled Pasanello to strollearlier than him.
The antique priest paced with them until they reached the mobile and the sentinel gave his prisoner to the officials.
“The mayor may be informed of your deed and could act quick,” he assured him in parting. “on your prayers, Signor Pasanello!”
The lion-tamer reached his hand via the cell bars, and touched the priest who nevertheless waited with bowed head.
“you've got been very kind, good father,” he said. “earlier than you pass, inform me you agree with my tale, and supplyme your blessing.”
The priest lifted his head. “I agree with thy words,” he back. “but the plucking of the apple way death. but one issue can prevent it and that thou canst now not anticipate.
“i might ask thee–dost thou repent?”
“Of my sins–yes, father. Of plucking the apple–no. i have had sufficient of life as i've located it. but, of thy kindness, informme what's that one issue that could overthrow my destiny?”
preserving the priest’s hand, he flashed a short smile at him. “From what i have heard of these humans and their golden tree it need to be an first-rate going on that would appease their wrath at one who robbed its branches.”
The old man shook his head. “you may analyze of it on the morrow, when the multitude are assembled; my son–on that hour–that hour–” His voice trembled and broke.
“assume no longer of it, right father–but deliver me thy blessing.”
The priest raised his hand and murmured the benediction, then with unsure steps took his way out into the light.
The morrow came, and from some distance and huge the human beings assembled to look the regulation in their us of aexecuted. A full-size indignation swayed them, and small pity become expressed for the prisoner, a comparative stranger who had returned their hospitality by means of crime in opposition to their liked tree.
The King’s heralds, in their red and blue and gold tunics, had cried the information of the lion-tamer’s deed from the metropolis partitions on the North, the South, the East and the West. The papers had flamed it out in the reddest of type. The kids called it to each other excitedly, and the antique stood and gossiped over it. The moms with babies in theirfingers held them near, thinking of the dread matters that may overtake guys who had been as soon as as dear and little as those they held.
The King himself was a long way away on a hunting experience, or something might have been heard from him, as his moods were many, and the new lion-tamer in desire with him. but inside the depend of the tree of gold the human beingsof Midas took no recommendation of Kings.
The mayor, aldermen, legal professionals and judges had spent the night time discussing the theft. they'd interviewed the lion-tamer, taken the evidence of the priest and sentinel, gazed solemnly upon the golden apple with its short, twisted stem, and looked upon the branch from which it were broken.
The crime become constant upon the lion-tamer, to anyone’s satisfaction, and there was no enchantment. consequentlythe hour for his execution have been set. His dying changed into to take place at the ringing of the subsequent noontide bells.
The hour came on apace. Now throngs pressed and swayed across the grassy rectangular of the golden apple tree. All knew the King’s lion-tamer, because the royal lions were often shown in public, and a sensation of awe and horror swept over the multitude, for they have been a satisfied people with a dread of tragedy. yet the regulation become the law, the golden tree a element mystical and nearly sacred. The deed against it have to, they agreed, be avenged.
The bells rang out 1 / 4 to 12, and the mayor and aldermen, lawyers and judges, all of their robes of office, got here out on a platform earlier than the town hall.
the gang made manner for a collection of human beings from the court. They were all mounted and later would passsearching, but they behind schedule their recreation a bit to peer this greater aspect.
amongst them were old and young; friends of the King, and girls and gents in waiting to the Princess. They wore hunter’s inexperienced, braided with gold that flashed as they rode. The little Princess become not amongst them, but the ladyBelledowin became of individuals who led the manner.
whilst the bells had accomplished hanging the area to twelve, two squaddies got here out from the city hall, and the lion-tamer walked between them. He wore, as he had the day before, handiest the leopard skin approximately his body, the leather-based sandals on his ft, and above his knee the golden garter set with topaz, whereon become cut the King’s seal.
He took his stand, towering among that richly clad business enterprise as a parent unusually out of place, and his spirit regarded quiet and unruffled. A bring in blew a loud bugle-blast, and the human beings swayed closer. The organizationof courtiers drew rein tighter on their restless horses.
when the herald’s notes died away, the mayor spoke. His crimson robes marked him from the others, and his voice carried a long way.
“citizens of the metropolis of Midas!” he stated. “we have come to see the law of our metropolis maintained. The King’s lion-tamer, who comes from a miles and unknown u . s . a ., has violated our maximum sacred code. He has plucked the imperishable fruit of our golden tree, the tree of Midas. there may be the apple!” He held the golden globe up excessive for all to see. “The witnesses to the deed,” he persisted, “are the sentinel and the good priest who stands underneath our platform here!”
A low, angry murmuring ran via the gang and grew in volume and pressure.
The mayor lifted his hand for silence, and spoke again.
“This crime turned into wanton and with out excuse, and witnessed. consequently the best choose of our land has mentioned sentence of death upon Pasanello, the King’s lion-tamer!”
The people broke right into a hoarse clamoring, but the mayor once more commanded silence.
“Wait, exact residents!” he said. “For we've ever been of a fair and open mind. vintage as is this regulation of ours, that the only who plucks the golden fruit shall die, you clearly recollect–even though it is two rating years since the tree wasremaining robbed–that there is any other law just as antique.” He paused and a deep silence followed his words. Then–”tell us the alternative law!” they cried impatiently, “and be quick in telling.” and many known as: “We know of no other regulation! We know of none!”
The mayor appeared over the upturned faces surging in the direction of him.
“Ay!” he again. “you've got all heard of this other regulation however have chosen to overlook. i'm able to remind you.”
He unrolled an vintage parchment. “Hereon is written,” he persevered, “the simplest legal guidelines concerning the golden tree.
“on this area,” pointing to it along with his finger, “I study: ‘The penalty of demise is to be inflicted on any mortal who has come of age and thereafter breaks even one golden apple from the golden tree–unless’ (Now mark you all!) ‘until when the criminal is added out for execution, and haply he or she be unwedded, there should rise up one among you who will willingly provide to marry that one who is underneath death sentence, and lead her or him away down the rose-mist direction that runs round our mountains–and so out of our land forever!”
The lion-tamer stood as one little involved with what became occurring. As lots as one so robust may want to, he lookedworn-out, and his face changed into now not annoying, however sad.
The court docket human beings petted their frightened horses, and beside the gallows a black-robed guy looked about in sullen restlessness.
again the mayor raised his hand.
“If there be any woman among you, whether or not vintage or young, who will wed this guy, Pasanello, and go along withhim into the unknown lands–let her come forward!”
His clear voice rang out to the uttermost fringe of the people.
A stillness answered. All eyes were lifted to the lion-tamer. His face become raised now a little disdainfully, and he appeared to grin.
Then via the crowd there ran a sudden stirring, and a phrase became called out here and there that quickly melted right into a muffled roar like the ocean.
the group parted, and up via the midst of it got here a abnormal little half of-wild discern; a lady, young,–oh, very younger–with bare brown ft, and tattered blue gown and tanned gypsy face and arms. A cloud of lengthy, tangled, yellow hair blew approximately her head, and her eyes were sea-blue, with the blackest lashes that had been ever visible.
in one hand she carried a rough crook, and at the back of her trailed a flock of grey ducks, stored collectively by the unceasing attention of a small, shaggy canine, who saw to it that they accompanied the little goose-woman, and not their own will.
On she came, lightly as a brown leaf blows over the ground, until she reached the platform in which stood the mayor and the city fathers and the infantrymen with their prisoner.
on the foot of the platform she stopped, appeared up, and then round. Then she dipped a courtesy and smiled at all of them.
“An it pleases absolutely everyone,” she said sweetly, “i will wed the King’s lion-tamer and lead him away down the rose-mist street–for I know it well. So, he be inclined, we will depart, and by no means come again, forever! an’ ever! an’ ever!”
The lion-tamer had leaned ahead as she began to speak, and now regarded down into her blue eyes that have been raised to his. Down and down he regarded into the very depths in their sea blue, and that they spoke back his gaze regularly.
“you've got heard!” the mayor stated to the human beings with a extensive gesture of his fingers. “This little maid from the hills is inclined to wed the prisoner.” He grew to become to the lion-tamer, smiling. “Prisoner,” he commanded, “what say you?”
As one in a dream he leaned in the direction of her. “Ay!” he said softly. “with the aid of my religion, i will gladly wed thee, sweetheart! i will take thee at thy phrase and comply with any rose-mist route in which thou dost lead the manner. there is that during thine eyes that calls me to thee across the very course of dying.”
Then the mayor stepped down and led the little goose-woman up to the platform.
“Come you furthermore may, top father,” he stated to the old priest.
With light step the little goose-girl crossed the platform to Pasanello. He took her hand, and so that they stood whilst the priest spoke the phrases that wedded them.
Then the lion-tamer, caring nothing for the presence of the staring humans or the mayor and judges, took the tattered maid in his fingers and bent his lips to hers.
A surprising cheering broke from the throats of all the crowd under, for all of the international loves a lover.
Then in gossipy groups all scattered and went their manner. The women and gents of the court ultimate, for it had proved so rare an enjoyment.
when the green square changed into almost clear, the little goose-girl took the lion-tamer’s hand. “Come!” she said softly. “Come, Pasanello; we should go as we promised.”
“virtually–sure, sweetheart, as we promised. we are able to now not linger.” He grew to become to the old priest.
“top father, we provide you with thanks, and farewell, and everlasting remembrance.”
After that they went, at the same time as the priest watched them, across the square of the golden tree and down the golden dual carriageway. There his vintage eyes lost them, but on they went out of the city gates and on to the street of the rose-mist, the ducks following behind them, and the small shaggy canine.
Hand in hand they went, and joyously and lightly as the leaves blow over the ground, and they laughed and talked and regarded into each other’s eyes.
while the city was nearly misplaced behind them, the little goose-woman stuck her two fingers around the lion-tamer’s arm and turned her withstand him.
“study me, Pasanello!” she cried softly.
“Have I performed aught but stare upon thee for the reason that moment you came?” he puzzled, smiling.
“Oh, I recognise!” she admitted. “but look again. tell me what–whom thou dost see!”
Pasanello appeared, and all at once caught her to him.
“Who artwork thou?” he puzzled. “Oh, who artwork thou–thou maximum atypical little maid? Methinks I recognise thy face–but doubt. Who artwork thou?”
“The Princess,” she nodded towards his shoulder. “handiest the little Princess, Pasanello, stained brown with the juice of berries. you notice I loved you–even–even yesterday.“
“Oh, little Princess!” he cried, touching her yellow hair. “overlook the previous day. To-day and forever it's far most effective you i like!”
I do not understand where they went to live. i've heard that the King of the city of Midas and the u . s . a . thereabout rode after them, and observed them, and gave them castles and gold and lands and all of the lovely matters that humansgenuinely do not want. however i'm no longer positive about this. Pasanello may be best a shepherd somewhere in theirhills, and the Princess may additionally but have a tendency a flock of grey geese. No, I do now not understand for positive wherein they went or how they lived. The most effective thing i am in reality positive of is that they have beenglad anyplace it changed into, and if we ever run across them, we will discover they're satisfied nevertheless.
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