When his eyes became
accustomed to the radiant light, the Prince saw the magician of the
lime-tree sitting on a dazzling throne. His green eyes looked out from
under a golden crown, and his hideous claws clutched the air with
rage when he saw the Prince. Remembering what the maiden had told him,
Prince Milan walked boldly up to the throne and knelt at the feet of
the magician, who cursed in a voice that shook the Underworld. As
the youth was not at all frightened, the magician at last stopped
swearing. Laughing at his courage, he welcomed him to his palace,
and showed him to a beautiful chamber which he was to occupy. On the
following day he sent for him and said;
"You are very brave, Prince Milan, but you must pay the penalty for
keeping me waiting so long for you. To-night build me a palace of gold
and marble, with windows of crystal, and about it the most beautiful
gardens in the world, or tomorrow I shall cut off your head."
The Prince went back to his chamber and sadly awaited his doom. That
evening a small bee flew in through his window, and as soon as it
entered the room it became Hyacinthia. "Why are you sad, Prince
Milan?" she asked. He told her of her father's impossible command and
added, "Naturally, I am not happy at the thought of losing my head.
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