st his head still further; but he just
managed to remember his flute, and a few notes of it sent the Fairy
to sleep again, and he kissed her thrice. Then he stooped and laid his
golden wreath upon her forehead, ate a piece of the bread and drank a
cupful of the wine of youth, and this he did three times over. Then he
filled a flask with water from the well, and vanished swiftly.

As he passed through the garden it seemed quite different from what
it was before. The flowers were lovelier, the streams ran quicker, the
sunbeams shone brighter, and the fairies seemed gayer. And all this had
been caused by the three kisses Petru had given the Fairy of the Dawn.

He passed everything safely by, and was soon seated in his saddle again.
Faster than the wind, faster than thought, faster than longing, faster
than hatred rode Petru. At length he dismounted, and, leaving his horses
at the roadside, went on foot to the house of Venus.

The goddess Venus knew that he was coming, and went to meet him, bearing
with her white bread and red wine.

'Welcome back, my prince,' said she.

'Good day, and many thanks,' replied the young man, holding out the
flask containing the magic water. She received it with joy, and after a
short rest Petru set forth, for he had no time to lose.

He stopped a few minutes, as he had promised, with the Goddess of
Thunder, and was taking a hasty farewell of her, when she called him
back.

'Stay, I have a warning to give you,' said she. 'Beware of your life;
make friends with no man; do not ride fast, or let the water go out of
your hand; believe no one, and flee flattering tongues. Go, and take
care, for the way is long, the world is bad, and you hold something very
precious. But I will give you this cloth to help you. It is not much
to look at, but it is enchanted, and whoever carries it will never be
struck by lightning, pierced by a lance, or smitten with a sword, and
the arrows will glance off his body.'

Petru thanked her and rode off, and, taking out his treasure box,
inquired how matters were going at home. Not well, it said. The emperor
was blind altogether now, and Florea and Costan had besought him to give
the government of the kingdom into their hands; but he would not, saying
that he did not mean to resign the government till he had washed his
eyes from the well of the Fairy of the Dawn. Then the brothers had gone
to consult old Birscha, who told them that Petru was already on his way
hom