e power of gratifying
it to its utmost extent. It is to warn you against
him that I am here. My name is Violetta."

The prince, as he must now be called, listened to this speech with
great gravity and decorum, though he thought it rather long, and
replied with infinite discretion. He thanked the fairy for her kind
intentions, and concluded by observing that he had often, when a
child, heard his mother speak of the Fairy Violetta with great
affection.

"Your mother was a woman of taste," said the fairy, "but there is not
a moment to be lost, for the enchanter is by this time apprized of
your coming, and the purport of your visit. Do not ask me what that
is. It is sufficient that you are here to fulfill your destiny."

The fairy then stamped three times with her little foot on a bed of
violets. At the first stamp there rose out of the ground a superb suit
of violet-colored armor; at the second a sword and spear; and at the
third a gallant violet-colored steed richly caparisoned.

"Take these, arm thyself, mount, and away. You will meet with many
obstacles in your course, but you have nothing to fear so long as you
fear nothing. Your first enemy will be a little mischievous caitiff,
called Master Whipswitchem, a creature of the wicked enchanter; your
second a monstrous giant; your third a beautiful spectre, and your
fourth the enchanter himself. The first you must circumvent by your
wit; the second by your valor; the third by your self-command; and the
fourth by your promptitude and sagacity. There is no magic in your
weapons, though they are equally good and true. Your dependence must
be on yourself alone; on your valor, your constancy, and your cause;
and remember, that should you ever turn your back on an enemy, whether
man, beast, or fiend, your happy destiny will never be accomplished.
You will never see your little gold-fish again.

"My little gold-fish!" exclaimed the prince eagerly--"What dost thou
mean? O tell me, most beneficent fairy!"

"You will know in good time, if you do not turn recreant," answered
the fairy, with a significant smile. "But away, away, my prince. Mount
and away. Follow the course of the river, and once more, never turn
aside let what will be before you, remembering that nothing is
impossible to courage, conduct, and perseverance in a good cause."

The prince bowed himself before the lady, repeated his grateful
thanks, mounted his neighing steed, which pawed the grou