his locks, made ready his bed, and then fell again
to questioning him. "Tell me, good youth, whither art thou
travelling--to what far country? and dost thou go of thine own free
will or no?"

And Prince Astrach answered: "Willingly as I go, yet I go twice as
unwillingly through thrice nine lands into the thirtieth kingdom, the
domain of the deathless Kashtshei, to fetch the Self-playing Harp."

"Ho! ho! ho!" cried the old witch. "You'll find it a hard task to
gain the Harp; but say your prayers and lie down to rest; the morning
is the time for such exploits, but the night for sleep." So Astrach,
the King's son, laid himself down to sleep.

The next morning the witch awoke early, got up, and aroused Prince
Astrach. "Bestir yourself, Prince Astrach, it is time for you to set
out on your travels." So Astrach arose and speedily dressed himself,
pulled on his stockings and boots, washed, and said his prayers,
bowing himself north, south, east, and west, and made ready to take
leave of the witch. Then she said: "How! will you go away without
asking an old woman like me how you can gain the Self-playing Harp?"
And when he asked her she said: "Go your way, in God's name, and when
you come to the realm of the deathless Kashtshei, manage to arrive
exactly at noon. Near his golden palace is a green garden, and in this
garden you will see a fair Princess walking about. Leap over the wall
and approach the maiden; she will rejoice to see you, for it is now
six years since she was carried off from her father's court by the
deathless Kashtshei. Enquire of this maiden how you can obtain the
Self-playing Harp, and she will direct you."

Thereupon Prince Astrach mounted his good steed and rode far and
fast, and came into the kingdom of the deathless Kashtshei. Then he
repaired to the golden palace, and heard the sound of the Self-playing
Harp: he stood still to listen, and was absorbed by its wonderful
music. At last he came to himself, leaped over the wall into the green
garden, and beheld there the Princess, who was at first sight
terrified; but Prince Astrach went up to her, quieted her fears, and
asked her how he could obtain the Self-playing Harp. Then the Tsarevna
Darisa answered: "If you will take me with you from this place I will
tell you how to obtain the Harp." So Prince Astrach gave her his
promise. Then she told him to wait in the garden, and meanwhile she
herself went to the deathless Kashtshei and began to coax him wit