Youth Country

Once upon a time there was a king who ruled over a mighty kingdom. He was valiant in battle, wise in counsel, and all his enterprises had a good one success. But when the years had passed, the king grew old and gray, so that he could well notice that he would not live long. Then he became sorrowful in his heart, for he loved life, and so encouraged all wise men in his kingdom if no means were given to escape death. They show the men shook their heads and took counsel; but no one knew how to answer the king's question.
One day, there came to the royal court an old fortune-teller, who had traveled far over water and land, and was renowned for her wisdom and prudence. The king asked the old woman if she knew anything new. Then said the queen: »Lord, king! I am told that you are very afraid of die, now since you are old. Therefore I have come here, and want to learn how to regain youth and health.» At this speech became the king well at ease, and asked how this would be done. The fortune teller spoke: »far, far away, many thousands of miles from here, lies one country, called _Ungdomslandet_. In that country there is a kind of strange water, and grows a kind of delicious apples. Which one drinks from the water and eats of the apples, he becomes young again, were he never so old But not many are those who get to taste it, because the road is long and full of dangers.” When the old king heard this, he became very happy, and rewarded the fortune-teller richly for her good advice. Thus were they separated from each other.
The king now decided with himself how he would get from it the wonderful waters and the delicious apples; at last he decided to send one of his sons to fetch them. To that end he let abundantly equip the eldest prince with money and other necessities, and so sent him on his way. But when the prince had gone far away, came he to a city that pleased him very much. Then he completely forgot his errand, lived in pleasures and luxury, and thought no more of his love, to go to a far country for life-water for his father.
It went on like this for a while, and the king longed for his son very much return; but he was not heard from. Then the old man had his second son equipped with goods and gold, and also sent him to seek the praised Youth country. But when the journeyman had traveled a long way, he came to one big city, and met his brother. Now it went to him, as it went the elder prince. He completely forgot his business, lived on wine and frills, and thought no further of his word and the promise, to fetch apples of youth and water of life for his old father.
When it had been about a while, and none of the princes came back, the old king became very frail from grief and old age. Then the youngest prince went before his father and was asked that he too would be allowed to move away and seek out the prized Youth Country. Like now the king had no more than one son, he wanted the ogres to agree the journeyman's request, but asked him to stay where he was. But the king's son was firm in his opinion, and so at last he prevailed. The king now sounded equip his youngest son with goods and ego parts, and the journeyman set off. But the old man sat alone and abandoned in his kingdom, and prayed a lot worry that one of his sons would return home.
The Hungarian traveler now traveled far, and finally came to a large city, where he met his older brothers. Then the king's sons invited him stay with them, and don't worry about the old man there at home; but the prince would not break his word, but refused theirs request. He then took leave of his brothers, and traveled far and wide through many and great kingdoms. Whoever he met, he spurred on the way to Youth-land; but there was no one who knew how to tell or otherwise give away any news about that.
One day the journeyman got lost in a very large forest. When he now saw himself around to find an inn, he saw a light, as if in the distance distance gasped between the trees. The prince went there, and came to a small earth cabin, where lived a very old woman. The king's son asked if he was allowed to stay there overnight, and the lady agreed to his request. When they were now spoken to, the old woman asked for his family and business. The prince replied that he was a king's son, who had drawn away to search for the Land of Youth, and asked at the same time, if not the old woman could give him some notice of that. Then the lady said: "I have lived." for three hundred winters, and yet no one has told me of the land like you mentions. But I rule over the animals on the ground. Maybe it is someone sometimes my subjects, who find the way. Arla tomorrow I want to ask about it.» The king's son gave many thanks for this good promise, and so he rested there overnight.
When the day dawned and the sun rose, the old woman went out and blew her horn pipe. Then there was a strong roar in the forest, and all the four-legged creatures came running animals both near and far. Since the animals were gathered and had paid homage his queen, asked the old man, if there was anyone among them who knew the road to Youthland. The animals held a long discussion about this; but there was no one who knew how to answer the queen's question. Then turned the old woman turned to the king's son and said: "I can't go any further now." assist you. But I have a sister who rules over the birds of the air. Say hello to her from me, maybe she knows some help.» The lady now commanded the wolf to bring the journeyman to her sister, and thus theirs was successful Call. But the king's son sat on the wolf's back, and so it was of over forest and land, over mountain and valley, many villa paths.
Serla in the evening, when the sun had set in the forest, they saw a light, which gasped between the trees. Then the wolf said: "Now we are here, because here lives my queen's sister." He then returned home again; but the king's son went in, and found a very, very old woman, who lived in an earth hut. While they were now talking, the old woman inquired about his family and business. The prince replied that he was a king's son, who had gone away to look for Ungdomslandet, and at the same time greeted from her sister, who ruled over the animals on the ground. Then the lady spoke: "I have lived in six hundred winters, and yet no one has told me of the land like you mentions. But I rule over all the birds of the air; maybe it is someone sometimes my subjects, who find the way. I want to ask Arla tomorrow there." The king's son gave thanks, as was proper, for the old woman's kindness promise, and so he stayed there overnight.
When it was now daybreak, the old lady went out and blew her pipe. Then there was a strong hissing and dying in the air, and there came running everyone the birds of the sky, both great and small, both near and far. Since they were assembled and had paid tribute to their queen, asked the old man, if it was someone among them who knew the way to Ungdomslandet. The birds kept it that way a long deliberation about this; but the end was that no one could answer the queen's question. Then the old woman turned to the king's son, and said: "I can't help you any further now." But I have a sister, who rules over the fishers of the sea. Go there, and greet her from me. If she doesn't know any advice, no one will." The lady commanded now the eagle to bring the lad to her sister; and thus they parted at. But the king's son climbed onto the eagle's back, and so it flew off as one storm wind, over blue seas and green lands.
Looking around in the evening, they saw a light twinkling between the trees. Then said the eagle: "now we have arrived, for here lives my queen's sister." He then took leave of the Hungarian friend, and flew home to his foster mother; but the king's son entered the cabin, and asked if he could borrow lodgings. The lady gladly agreed to this. While they were now spoken to, asked the old woman according to his family and business. The prince replied that he was one the king's son, who had gone away to search for the Land of Youth, and greeted also from her sister who ruled over the birds of the air. Then took the lady said: »I have now lived for nine hundred winters, and still no one has ever told me about the country you mention. But I advise over the fishers in the sea. Perhaps there is someone among my subjects, who find the way. Arla tomorrow I want to ask about it.» The journeyman thanked as if was due, for the old woman's good promise, and so he lingered over there the night.
Early in the morning, before daylight, the lady went out and blew his pipe. Then there was a strong murmuring and roaring in the sea, and the water foamed with the innumerable fish, large and small, which came from near and far. Then all came together, and had paid homage his queen, spoke the old woman, and said: »therefore I have called you, that I would like to know if anyone knows the way to a country that called Ungdomslandet.» The fishermen now held a long council; but the end was that no one could answer the queen's question. Then the lady became disappointed, and said: »aren't everyone gathered yet? I can't make sure the old whale, who otherwise is not the smallest among you.» In it at the same time a loud roaring was heard out at sea, and the old whale came fast moving. The old woman asked why he did not come with the others; but the whale excused himself that he had traveled so far a way. »Where has you been then?” asked the old woman. 'Well,' replied the fish, 'I have traveled a lot within a thousand miles. I currently come from a beautiful country called The country of youth.'
When the lady heard this, she was well satisfied, and said: "It must be." as a punishment for your disobedience, that you will once more go to The country of youth, and take this Hungarian friend with you on the journey.» After that she took leave of the king's son, wished him luck on his journey, and so on they separated. But the journeyman sat up on the whale's back, and now it wore off of like an arrow far he over the water.
They traveled thus all day, and arrived late in the evening the acclaimed Youth Country. Then the whale said: »I now want to marry you good advice, which you must carefully follow, if you otherwise wish yours preemption shall succeed. Outside the enchanted castle, everything falls into place sleep at the midnight hour. Then go up to the castle, take an apple and one bottle of water; but do not slow down, but hasten back at once. If you lingers beyond the midnight hour itself, it applies to both of our lives." When The king's son heard this, he thanked the whale for its good advice, and promised to do everything as the fish had told him.
At midnight the prince went up to the enchanted castle, and found everything as the wise whale had told. At the castle gate were cruel animals, bears, wolves and dragons; but all lay in a heavy slumber, and it seemed as if the whole castle had been deserted. The prince wandered thus through many large rooms, one more magnificent than the other, and could not must marvel at the great wealth that lay everywhere for him eyes. At last he came into a great hall, which was richly decorated with quilts of gold and silver. In the middle of the great hall grew a tree with the ages most precious apples, and yet the tree was a spring whose water shimmered like clear gold, and made a strange sound as it flowed over the stones. Then the king's son understood that he had finally found what he had been looking for for so long longed for. He then ran forward, picked up his bag full of fairies apples, and filled his bottle with life-water from the precious spring.
The journeyman would now turn back; but he could not overcome his desire to look around the enchanted castle for a little while longer. He therefore continued his wandering from room to room, from hall to hall, and thought that one always surpassed the other. At last he came in a room which, above all the others, was adorned with gold, silver and precious stones. In the middle of the magnificent room stood a bed, covered with blue silken cushions, and on the bed slumbered a maiden, so beautiful, that I guess never anyone seen her like in the world. Then the Hungarian friend's heart was touched breast, he forgot the warnings of the wise whale, and slept in its arms the beautiful king's daughter.
When the journeyman had slept a wink and was about to go his way, it seemed to him that he ought to let her know who it was that had enjoyed her favor. To that end he wrote on the wall, that Prince _Venius_ of _England_ had been there, and then hurried out of the castle. It was also high time; for he had hardly passed through the castle-gate before everything woke up dormancy; the animals rotted, weapons rattled, and the whole castle was filled with life and movement. But the prince quickly mounted the whale's back, and then carried it off like a wind over the waves.
They traveled like this for a while, and came out on the wandering sea. Then the whale suddenly sank under the water, dragging the prince with it. When they came up again, the journeyman was greatly dismayed, and thought that he was close to his last moment. The whale asked: "Did you get scared?" The prince chased that was so. The whale spoke up: »I was just as scared when you took over many apples.”
They traveled for a while longer, and the whale dived into the sea again. But it time he stayed much longer under the water than before, and when they came When he got up again, the prince was almost half dead with fright. The whale spurted: »were you scared?» The journeyman confirmed that it was so. The whale spoke: "Equal I was afraid when you slept with the young princess.»
They now traveled again for a while, and the whale dived the third trip into the sea; but this time he went so deep that the prince thought he would never get it again see the light of day. When they came up, the whale spurred again: "were you scared?" The journeyman confirmed that it was so. The fish said: »I was just as scared when you wrote your name on the hall wall.» They then continued their journey without further ado adventure, until they reached the other shore.
The prince now took leave of the old whale, and went up to the old woman who had seen nine hundred winters. When the lady noticed him, she was delighted she that his adventure had ended so well. But the Hungarian friend said that he wanted to repay her good assistance, and so gave her an apple The land of youth and a drink of the precious water of life. The lady ate and drank, and allowed himself to be well tasted. Then they saw a great wonder; for the old, old woman shifted her port, the wrinkles disappeared from her face, her mouth filled with the healthiest teeth, her bosom rose, and she stood there like a blooming maiden, as she was in her youth days. The Fish Queen could not praise enough this strange change, and thanked the king's son profusely for his great service. After that were they separated from each other. But when parting, the woman said: "I want now." reward yourself for your friend gift. Here you have a leash. When you shake it, a walker appears, who is as fast as the wind. He shall carry you wherever you wish.»
The Hungarian friend now shook the bridle, as the fish-queen had taught him, and immediately there came forward a fair walker, who carried him he said to the old woman who had seen six hundred winters. When now the fogel queen noticed him, she was glad his company had well done. But the king's son thanked him last, and said that he wanted to repay her kind assistance. He then gave her an apple The land of youth, and a drink of the precious water of life. The lady ate and drank, and allowed himself to be well tasted. In the same one got to see a new wonder; for the old woman changed her port, the wrinkles went out of hers face, mouth smiled, bosom lifted, and she stood there before the prince as a virgin in her youth. The Bird Queen could not praise enough this strange change, and thanked the journeyman profusely for his great service. After that they parted with great friendship. But at parting the woman said: »I now want to repay your gift. Here you have one cloth. Whenever you spread it out, it will be set with royal dishes.»
The Ungersvennen took the precious cloth, mounted his colt, and rode away, until he came to the old woman who had lived three hundred winters. Now when the animal queen became aware of him, she felt a great pleased that his adventure had succeeded so well, and escaped him with it a lot of friendship. But the journeyman said that he wanted to repay her kindness assistance, and then gave her an apple from Ungdomslandet and a drink of the precious water of life. The fellow ate and drank, and allowed himself to be well tasted. Then again a great miracle occurred, for the old woman changed hers port and became young again; the wrinkles disappeared from her face, the the crooked figure straightened, and she stood there like a strange woman beauty. The Animal Queen could not rejoice enough over all this, and thanked the prince for his exceeding great service. Then they divorced from each other with much friendship. But when parting, the woman took out one sword, gave it to the journeyman, and said: "I now want to reward your gift. Here do you have a sword Whoever you threaten with that will give way, even if it were him cruelest wild beast.”
The king's son thought he was now all well off, and went on, until he met his brothers. Then there was great joy for both of them pages. But when the older king's sons found out that their brother had succeeded in their enterprise, they found a great envy in their hearts, and put together a plan how they would betray him and win a prize for themselves his father. They now gave many beautiful words, and had an excellent one prepared feast. But at night, when the journeyman slept, the brothers observed the occasion, as well traded away the apples of youth and the water of life, without the prince knowing, or could even think such a falsehood.
The journeyman then took leave of his brothers, mounted his walker, and rode home to his father's farm. Then the old king was well satisfied that he had regained his youngest son, and the prince rejoiced that his father was still alive. He then brought forward his hopes, and prayed the king eat of the apples and drink of the water, that he should stay young again. But it went much against the guesswork, for no one was asked change, but the old man was and became as old and gray as the old man. Now the king could think of nothing else but that his son wanted to be married to his father, and became exceedingly angry. But the prince noticed that he was disappointed, and this struck him hard.
After some time had passed, the two eldest brothers also arrived home to the royal court. They had a lot to tell about their trip, and spoke at length about all the dangers they endured on the way to Youth country. Then both princes went before their father, and offered him apples and water of life, that he would become young again. The king ate and drank, and allowed himself to be well tasted. Now something strange happened find, because the old man changed his port, his gray hair became light, his mouth was filled with teeth, the wrinkles disappeared, and he stood there as one fager Ungersvenn. Then there was great joy over the whole kingdom, and the king praised the fidelity and manhood of his two eldest sons; but all were wroth upon the youngest king's son, that he has gone about with lies and falsehood. There it was now sentenced that the journeyman should be thrown into the lion's ball, and the sentence passed in the consummation without all graces. But when the wild animals wanted to tear it apart young prince, he shouted at them with his sword, and they did him no harm damage. When the prince became hungry, he spread his cloth, and it was filled with delicious food. He sat like that in the lion's ball for seven round years, and no one people knew he was still alive. --
The saga now turns again to the country of youth. There was a great commotion after the prince has finished his meal; for the life-water was gone, the apples were gone, and what was worse, the young princess had lost hers honor. When the months had passed, the king's daughter fell into childbed, and gave birth to a handsome bachelor child. But the little prince had in it left hand a strange plant, like an apple, and the apple wanted don't go away. Then the king's daughter had all the wise women gathered in the whole Ungdomslandet, and asked for advice on how her son would be freed from its blemish. The women talked for a long time, and talked both to and fro. But the end was that the young prince would not be healed until he got to meet his real father.
It stood like this for a while, the arrow grew up, and cleared more nimme and imagination than other children. Nothing was so crooked or weird that he could not figure it out, and at the age of seven he could spell his father's name, which was written on the hall wall. Then the king's daughter got one great desire to draw away and seek out Prince Venius. She then let hers be shot shells in the lake, and furnished them in the best of ages with costly goods and selected crew. Then the princess went on board with her cub son, hoisted sails on gilded tubes, and so they went merrily across the sea to England.
Now when the magnificent fleet of ships came outside the city, much was left unrest and commotion therein; for all believed it to be a hostile one military power. But the king's daughter docked at the bridge, and sent sent word to the king that she wanted to see Prince Venius. Then it happened the king was very doubtful, for he remembered quite well that the prince had been white thrown to the wild animals, although he does not want to admit it. He kept that advice with his men, and discussed what was now to be done; but no one knew help in such danger. The end was that the king would send his eldest son, after which he could not send the youngest. So bids were traded to the king's daughter, that Prince Venius would come the following day.
Early in the morning the princess had golden blankets spread over the road, and sat down himself with his little son on the ship's bridge, to receive the king's son. When it had suffered for a while, the eldest prince arrived was ridden out of the city, and heeded the danger to the ships. When he now got to see He couldn't help but wonder what splendid blankets were spread on the road over all this wealth, and kept it aside, that his footmen should not trample such precious fabrics. He then came down to the ship's wharf, from where the king's daughter sat in the high seat, surrounded by all her people. But when the The little boy saw him cautiously striding forward, he shouted with enthusiasm: "No is this my father.” The apple in the boy's hand also sat qvar as if added. Then the prince must return home, with little honor and undone business; but the princess made it known that she would not die before she had found the right Prince Venius.
On the second day the king sent his second son; but it went the same way. The prince was afraid to ride over the beautiful gold blankets, and when he came to the ship's bridge, from where the king's daughter sat in her high seat, called out the boy, who stood at her knee: "This cannot be my father." The apple also sat qvar in the journeyman's hand as the bringer. The king's son now got go home again, and it seemed to everyone that he suffered more shame than harm. But as the princess could now well notice, that they acted against her with treachery and falsehood, she became angry, and went ashore with all her military power. At the same time she sent word to the king that she wanted to see the right prince Venius, even if it were only a leg after him, otherwise she wouldn't leave stone upon stone throughout the city.
Now there was a general consternation, and the king did not know what to do would find in this great danger. At last he seemed to be best, to send messengers to the lion-ball, to search if there were any some survivors of his youngest son. Presently the envoys came out the lion-yard, to seek out the bones of Prince Venius, lo, then he sat himself lived alive and played with the wild animals. Then you can know that there was rejoicing over town and country, and all asked the lad that he would go there. But the prince was angry, and would not come, until his own father fell on his knees, and promised to fix what had been broken.
On the third day, when the sun rose, the king's daughter had the gold blanket spread again over the road, and sat down in his high seat; but the little dart stood by her knee, and all her men were gathered around. Then the prince dressed Venius in the age's finest in silk and scarlet, girded the sword side, shook his bridle, and mounted his wind-swift walker. He so rode the way forward to the ships; but it seemed to all who saw it, that he almost flew through the air; for so swift a rider and so swift a foal no one has seen either before or since. When now the dart became a prince Venius, where he ran across the golden road, he shouted happily: "This is my father! this is my father!” and at the same moment the apple fell away out of the child's hand. Then the king's daughter rose from her high seat, entered the prince to meet, and escaped him with great joy and love. But all the people stood and looked up there, and thought that they should search long, to find a faster man and a more beautiful woman in the whole wide area the world.
The king's son and his friend's bride now entered the city, and the king let prepare a wedding, so that it would be both heard and asked. When the usher had stood with lust and play, for Prince Venius and his queen away to the Land of Youth, and there they live to this day. But they The treacherous brothers were thrown into the lion's den, and no one has sport that they ever came from there. Then I wasn't there anymore.