hat a poor young countryman would take his place. He awoke and
became sad and thoughtful. Unable to go to sleep again, he climbed a
tower of his palace, and began to look around with a spy-glass. When
he directed his gaze toward a mountain-region beyond the Nile (!),
he saw an enchantress who was looking out of her window. She was
Dona Maria. He was charmed by her beauty, and became restless. At
length he resolved to relate to his council of chiefs what he had
seen, and to ask their advice. Many suggestions were made, and many
objections. Since the king could not be deterred from his purpose
of attempting to get possession of Dona Maria, his chief counsellor
proposed an assembly of all the people of the kingdom, where the king's
desire might be made known. At the assembly the king promised money
to any one who dared to undertake the adventure, and his appointment
as chief counsellor if he were successful.

The folk-tale and the romance are practically identical, except
that the romance is more detailed, up to the point where the horse
leaves Juan to go to entice Dona Maria from her palace and get her
in its power.

The horse told Juan that it would go with the golden bit and saddle
and get Dona Maria, while Juan should hide in a bush near by until they
should come back. The horse also told Juan that when it passed by the
bush, he should seize its tail and hold on tight. Then the horse left,
and after a time came to the garden of Dona Maria. When the maiden
saw the animal, she became angry at its owner for letting it into her
garden. After looking about for the rider in vain, she claimed the
horse, and was about to mount it when the animal spoke to her, and told
her to put on a better dress, one which would be more appropriate for
the golden saddle. When she returned, she had on a magnificent gown,
and wore a magic ring. The horse told her that it had been sent by
God to be her faithful steed, and then suggested that she visit the
abode of the eagles. She was very anxious to see this wonderful place,
and agreed to be taken there. Before they set out, the horse asked her
for her magic ring, saying that he would carry it safely for her in
his mouth. She surrendered the ring, and the horse carried her to the
place where Juan was concealed. Juan seized the tail of the horse, and
the animal flew into the air and alighted beyond the sea. Here, by the
magic power of the handkerchief, Juan produced food, a table, and two
chair