s is kept prisoner by
the Yellow Dwarf. You will have many enemies to fight before you can
come to her, take, therefore, this sword, with which you may overcome
everything, provided you never let it go out of your hand."

The king returned her all the thanks that the most grateful heart
could suggest; and the mermaid landed and took leave of him, promising
him farther assistance when necessary. The king boldly advanced, and,
meeting with two terrible sphinxes, laid them dead at his feet with
the sword. Next he attacked six dragons that opposed him, and
despatched them also. Then he met four-and-twenty nymphs, crowned with
garlands of flowers, at the sight of whom he stopped, being unwilling
to destroy so much beauty; when he heard a voice say, "Strike! strike!
or you lose your princess for ever!" So he threw himself into the
midst of the nymphs, smiting right and left, and soon dispersed them.

Presently he came to the castle, where was imprisoned the princess
All-Fair. "O my princess," exclaimed he, "behold your faithful lover!"

"Faithful lover!" she replied, drawing herself back: "Did I not see
you passing through the air with a beautiful nymph? were you faithful
then?"

"Yes," replied the king, "I was. That was the detested Desert Fairy,
who was carrying me to a place where I must have languished out all my
days, had it not been for a kind mermaid, by whose assistance it is
that I am now come to release you." Having uttered these words, he
threw himself at her feet; but, catching hold of her gown he
unfortunately let go the magic sword, which the Yellow Dwarf no sooner
discovered, than, leaping from behind a shrub, where he had been
concealed, he ran and seized it. By two cabalistical words he then
conjured up a couple of giants, who laid the king in irons.

"Now," said the Dwarf, "my rival's fate is in my own hands; however,
if he will consent to my marriage with the princess All-Fair, he shall
have his life and liberty."

"No," said the king, "I scorn thy favour on such terms."

The dwarf was so exasperated by this reply, that he instantly stabbed
the king to the heart. The disconsolate princess stood a moment
petrified, and then exclaimed, "Thou hideous creature! since
entreaties could not avail thee, perhaps thou now reliest upon force;
but thou shalt be disappointed. I will die for the love I have for the
King of the Golden Mines!" and so saying she sank down upon his body,
and expired without a sigh.