wouldn't make use of your services, and if you have
such good sight, look and tell me whether it is far to the iron castle,
and what is now going on there?" "If you rode by yourself, sir,"
answered Sharpsight, "maybe you wouldn't get there within a year; but
with us you'll arrive to-day--they're just getting supper ready for us."
"And what is my bride doing?"

"An iron lattice is before her,
In a tower that's high
She doth sit and sigh,
A wizard watch and ward keeps o'er her."

The prince cried, "Whoever is well disposed, help me to set her free!"
They all promised to help him. They guided him among the gray rocks
through the breach that Sharpsight had made in them with his eyes, and
farther and farther on through rocks, through high mountains and deep
forests, and wherever there was any obstacle in the road, forthwith it
was removed by the three comrades. And when the sun was declining toward
the west, the mountains began to become lower, the forests less dense,
and the rocks concealed themselves amongst the heath; and when it was
almost on the point of setting, the prince saw not far before him an
iron castle; and when it was actually setting, he rode by an iron bridge
to the gate, and as soon as it had set, up rose the iron bridge of
itself, the gate closed with a single movement, and the prince and his
companions were captives in the iron castle.

When they had looked round the court, the prince put his horse up in the
stable, where everything was ready for it, and then they went into the
castle. In the court, in the stable, in the castle hall, and in the
rooms, they saw in the twilight many richly-dressed people, gentlemen
and servants, but not one of them stirred--they were all turned to
stone. They went through several rooms, and came into the supper-room.
This was brilliantly lighted up, and in the midst was a table, and on it
plenty of good meats and drinks, and covers were laid for four persons.
They waited and waited, thinking that some one would come: but when
nobody came for a long time, they sat down and ate and drank what the
palate fancied.

When they had done eating, they looked about to find where to sleep.
Thereupon the door flew open unexpectedly all at once, and into the room
came the wizard; a bent old man in a long black garb, with a bald head,
a gray beard down to his knees, and three iron hoops instead of a
girdle. By the hand he led a beautiful, very beautiful damsel