in the
evening on the bough outside the window, and I will sing you something
that will make you feel happy and grateful. I will sing of joy, and of
sorrow; I will sing of the evil and the good which lies hidden from
you. The little singing-bird flies all around, to the poor fisherman's
hut, to the farmer's cottage, to all those who are far away from you
and your Court. I love your heart more than your crown, though that
has about it a brightness as of something holy. Now I will sing to you
again; but you must promise me one thing----'

'Anything!' said the Emperor, standing up in his Imperial robes, which
he had himself put on, and fastening on his sword richly embossed with
gold.

'One thing I beg of you! Don't tell anyone that you have a little bird
who tells you everything. It will be much better not to!' Then the
Nightingale flew away.

The servants came in to look at their dead Emperor.

The Emperor said, 'Good-morning!'

_HERMOD AND HADVOR_[32]

Once upon a time there were a King and a Queen who had an only
daughter, called Hadvor, who was fair and beautiful, and being an only
child, was heir to the kingdom. The King and Queen had also a foster
son, named Hermod, who was just about the same age as Hadvor, and was
good-looking, as well as clever at most things. Hermod and Hadvor
often played together while they were children, and liked each other
so much that while they were still young they secretly plighted their
troth to each other.

As time went on the Queen fell sick, and suspecting that it was her
last illness, sent for the King to come to her. When he came she told
him that she had no long time to live, and therefore wished to ask one
thing of him, which was, that if he married another wife he should
promise to take no other one than the Queen of Hetland the Good. The
King gave the promise, and thereafter the Queen died.

Time went past, and the King, growing tired of living alone, fitted
out his ship and sailed out to sea. As he sailed there came upon him
so thick a mist that he altogether lost his bearings, but after long
trouble he found land. There he laid his ship to, and went on shore
all alone. After walking for some time he came to a forest, into which
he went a little way and stopped. Then he heard sweet music from a
harp, and went in the direction of the sound until he came to a
clearing, and there he saw three women, one of whom sat on a golden
chair, and was beautifully and g