he
took off his hat, and struck him a blow on the head, which, although
not hard, drove it through the wall of the palace. Then Iliya took up
the body, and flung it into the courtyard. And the Prince rewarded
Iliya richly, and retained him at his court as his boldest and bravest
knight.

THE RENOWNED HERO, BOVA KOROLEVICH, AND THE PRINCESS DRUSHNEVNA

In the famous city of Anton ruled the brave and mighty King Guidon;
who heard so much from his own subjects, as well as foreigners, of the
beauty of the Princess Militrisa Kirbitovna, that he longed to see
her. So he set out, and travelled to the city of Dimichtian, where he
saw her many times, and fell deeply in love with her.

When King Guidon returned home, he sent his servant Litcharda as
ambassador to King Kirbit Versoulovich, the father of the Princess
Militrisa Kirbitovna, with a letter written by his own hand, to ask
for his daughter in marriage. When Litcharda arrived at the city of
Dimichtian, he delivered to King Kirbit the letter from his master;
and after Kirbit had read it through, he went at once to the Princess
Militrisa, and said to her: "My dear daughter, the fame of your beauty
has reached the brave and powerful King Guidon. He has been in the
city to see you, and has fallen deeply in love with you. He has sent a
messenger to demand your hand, and I have already given my consent."

As King Kirbit spoke these words, Militrisa fell to weeping; and her
father seeing this said: "Grieve not, dear daughter, Guidon is
powerful, renowned, and rich; he will be a good husband to you, and
you will share the government with him. To refuse his request is
impossible, for he would return with a large army, storm our city, and
carry you off by force."

When the Princess Militrisa heard this, she began to sob, fell on her
knees, and said: "My lord and father, you have sovereign power over
me, but let me confess the truth: I have seen Guidon, but his very
look terrified me; I fear therefore to marry him. I entreat you, dear
father, to alter your resolution, and to give me to Tsar Dadon, who is
our neighbour, a faithful friend, and protector of our kingdom." But
Kirbit did not listen to her entreaties, and sent her to King Guidon
to be his wife, in the city of Anton. Guidon rejoiced exceedingly at
her arrival, ordered a great feast to be prepared for their wedding
the following day, and set at liberty all the prisoners in his kingdom
on this joyous event.