e master of the horse: thou art fittest to carry muck from the
stables." When the master of the horse told him to take off his wig, he
got the same answer, so he refused to have him. "Thou canst go to the
gardener," said he, "thou art only fit to go and dig the ground." The
gardener allowed him to remain, but none of the servants would sleep
with him, so he was obliged to sleep alone under the stairs of the
summer-house, which stood upon pillars and had a high staircase, under
which he laid a quantity of moss for a bed, and there lay as well as
he could.

When he had been some time in the royal palace, it happened one morning,
just at sunrise, that the youth had taken off his moss wig and was
standing washing himself, and appeared so handsome it was a pleasure to
look on him. The princess saw from her window this comely gardener, and
thought she had never before seen any one so handsome.

She then asked the gardener why he lay out there under the stairs.
"Because none of the other servants will lie with him," answered the
gardener. "Let him come this evening and lie by the door in my room,"
said the princess: "they cannot refuse after that to let him sleep in
the house."

The gardener told this to the youth. "Dost thou think I will do so?"
said he. "If I do so, all will say there is something between me and the
princess." "Thou hast reason, forsooth, to fear such a suspicion,"
replied the gardener, "such a fine, comely lad as thou art." "Well, if
she has commanded it, I suppose I must comply," said the youth. In
going up-stairs that evening he stamped and made such a noise that they
were obliged to beg of him to go more gently, lest it might come to the
king's knowledge. When within the chamber, he lay down and began
immediately to snore. The princess then said to her waiting-maid, "Go
gently and pull off his moss wig." Creeping softly toward him, she was
about to snatch it, but he held it fast with both hands, and said she
should not have it. He then lay down again and began to snore. The
princess made a sign to the maid, and this time she snatched his wig
off. There he lay so beautifully red and white, just as the princess had
seen him in the morning sun. After this the youth slept every night in
the princess's chamber.

But it was not long before the king heard that the garden lad slept
every night in the princess's chamber, at which he became so angry that
he almost resolved on putting him to death. This, howeve