“Take my sword and go and exterminate the left wing, while I destroy the
right and the centre.”
So the two set off, each to his place, and attacked the enemy with fury.
To the right and to the left the soldiers fell like mown down grass. The
slaughter was dreadful. The soldiers fled in all directions, but the two
princes pursued them, and only ceased their labour when there remained
on the field of battle only the dead and the dying. Then the two
returned to the town. When they came near to the palace they shook
hands. The Invisible Prince disappeared, and Prince Slugobyl went back
to his stable.
It chanced that the king’s daughter had been in such trouble that she
had not been able to sleep. So she had gone out upon her balcony, and
from there she had observed all that had occurred. She had heard the
conversation between the false prince and his servant. She had seen
Slugobyl call the Invisible Prince to assist him, and she had seen him
give his clothes and armour to the impostor, while he told him all that
he had done during the night. The princess divined all, but she resolved
to be careful, and not to speak till the right time.
The next day the king ordered that the victory gained by his guest over
the hostile army should be celebrated by great festivities. Calling his
daughter to him at the banquet, he was about to give her to the false
prince, when she, leaving the table, made her way among the servants,
and embracing Slugobyl, who stood amongst them, brought him forward.
“My father,” said she, “and all you who are here present, here is he who
gained the victory, and whom Heaven has sent me to be my husband. He
whom you have been honouring is nothing more than a vile impostor, who
has robbed his master alike of his name and of his rights. Last night I
could not sleep, and, going out upon my balcony, I saw things such as
eye had never before seen, and heard things such as ear had never before
been acquainted with. I will tell you all, but first of all command that
traitor to show you the paper by which he claims to be what he
pretends.”
The false prince then produced the paper signed by his master, and it
was found to contain these words—
“Let the bearer of this paper, the traitorous and wicked servant of
Prince Slugobyl, receive the punishment he well deserves for his
treachery.
(Signed), PRINCE SLUGOBYL.”
“What!” cried the traitor, “do you say that that is what the writing
means?”
“Yes,” cried they all. “That is what is here.”
Then he threw himself at the king’s feet and begged for mercy, but he
only received what he deserved. He was tied to four wild horses and torn
to pieces.
Prince Slugobyl married the princess. I, who tell you of these things,
was there myself, and I there drank wine and hydromel, but, though my
beard was wetted, none of the drink went into my mouth.
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