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dear child without waking her； went out of the palace and
put forth a proclamation that nobody should dare to
come near it。
This； however； was not necessary； for in a quarter of an
hour's time there grew up all round about the park such
a vast number of trees； great and small； bushes and
brambles； twining one within another； that neither man
nor beast could pass through； so that nothing could be
seen but the very top of the towers of the palace； and
that； too； not unless it was a good way off。 Nobody；
doubted but the Fairy gave herein a very extraordinary
sample of her art； that the Princess； while she continued
sleeping； might have nothing to fear from any curious
people。
When a hundred years were gone and passed the son of
the King then reigning； and who was of another family
from that of the sleeping Princess； being gone a…hunting
on that side of the country； asked：
What those towers were which he saw in the middle of
a great thick wood？
Everyone answered according as they had heard。 Some
said：
That it was a ruinous old castle； haunted by spirits。
Others； That all the sorcerers and witches of the
country kept there their sabbath or night's meeting。
The common opinion was： That an ogre lived there； and
that he carried thither all the little children he could
catch； that he might eat them up at his leisure； without
anybody being able to follow him； as having himself only
the power to pass through the wood。
The Prince was at a stand； not knowing what to
believe； when a very good countryman spake to him thus：
〃May it please your royal highness； it is now about
fifty years since I heard from my father； who heard my
grandfather say； that there was then in this castle a
princess； the most beautiful was ever seen； that she must
sleep there a hundred years； and should be waked by a
king's son； for whom she was reserved。〃
The young Prince was all on fire at these words；
believing； without weighing the matter； that he could put
an end to this rare adventure； and； pushed on by love and
honor； resolved that moment to look into it。
Scarce had he advanced toward the wood when all the
great trees； the bushes； and brambles gave way of themselves
to let him pass through； he walked up to the castle
which he saw at the end of a large avenue which he went
into； and what a little surprised him was that he saw
none of his people could follow him； because the trees
closed again as soon as he had passed through them。
However； he did not cease from continuing his way； a
young and amorous prince is always valiant。
He came into a spacious outward court； where everything
he saw might have frozen the most fearless person
with horror。 There reigned all over a most frightful
silence； the image of death everywhere showed itself； and
there was nothing to be seen but stretched…out bodies of
men and animals； all seeming to be dead。 He； however；
very well knew； by the ruby faces and pimpled noses of
the beefeaters； that they were only asleep； and their
goblets； wherein still remained some drops of wine； showed
plainly that they fell asleep in their cups。
He then crossed a court paved with marble； went up
the stairs and came into the guard chamber； where guards
were standing in their ranks； with their muskets upon
their shoulders； and snoring as loud as they could。 After
that he went through several rooms full of gentlemen and
ladies； all asleep； some standing； others sitting。 At last
he came into a chamber all gilded with gold； where he
saw upon a bed； the curtains of which were all open； the
finest sight was ever behelda princess； who appeared
to be about fifteen or sixteen years of age； and whose
bright and； in a manner； resplendent beauty； had somewhat
in it divine。 He approached with trembling and
admiration； and fell down before her upon his knees。
And now； as the enchantment was at an end； the
Princess awaked； and looking on him with eyes more tender
than the first view might seem to admit of：
〃Is it you； my Prince？〃 said she to him。 〃You have
waited a long while。〃
The Prince； charmed with these words； and much more
with the manner in which they were spoken； knew not
how to show his joy and gratitude； he assured her that he
loved her better than he did himself； their discourse was
not well connected； they did weep more than talklittle
eloquence； a great deal of love。 He was more at a loss
than she； and we need not wonder at it； she had time to
think on what to say to him； for it is very probable
（though history mentions nothing of it） that the good
Fairy； during so long a sleep； had given her very agreeable
dreams。 In short； they talked four hours together； and
yet they said not half what they had to say。
In the meanwhile all the palace awaked； everyone
thought upon their particular business； and as all of them
were not in love they were ready to die for hunger。 The
chief lady of honor； being as sharp set as other folks；
grew very impatient； and told the Princess aloud that
supper was served up。 The Prince helped the Princess to
rise； she was entirely dressed； and very magnificently； but
his royal highness took care not to tell her that she was
dressed like his great…grandmother； and had a point band
peeping over a high collar； she looked not a bit less charming
and beautiful for all that。
They went into the great hall of looking…glasses； where
they supped； and were served by the Princess's officers；
the violins and hautboys played old tunes； but very
excellent； though it was now above a hundred years since
they had played； and after supper； without losing any
time； the lord almoner married them in the chapel of the
castle； and the chief lady of honor drew the curtains。
They had but very little sleepthe Princess had no
occasion； and the Prince left her next morning to return
to the city； where his father must needs have been in pain
for him。 The Prince told him：
That he lost his way in the forest as he was hunting；
and that he had lain in the cottage of a charcoal…burner；
who gave him cheese and brown bread。
The King； his father； who was a good man； believed
him； but his mother could not be persuaded it was true；
and seeing that he went almost every day a…hunting； and
that he always had some excuse ready for so doing； though
he had lain out three or four nights together； she began
to suspect that he was married； for he lived with the
Princess above two whole years； and had by her two
children； the eldest of which； who was a daughter； was named
Morning； and the youngest； who was a son； they called
Day； because he was a great deal handsomer and more
beautiful than his sister。
The Queen spoke several times to her son； to inform
herself after what manner he did pass his time； and that
in this he ought in duty to satisfy her。 But he never
dared to trust her with his secret； he feared her； thoug