homea poetic rendition of
THE THREE CROWNS
Day 4, Tale 6
The King's Daughter
A king once wished to have an heir.
One day, out loud, he said a prayer:
Oh, heaven, send a child to me.
A voice replied, Which shall it be?
A boy or girl? It’s yours to choose,
but with each one you’ve much to lose.
A daughter who will fly away?
or son who’ll claim your life one day?
Perplexed, the king sought sage advice.
Is daughter lost the greatest vice?
or early death the thing to fear?
The sages answered. It is clear.
He’d kill, with you, your whole estate,
while she’d be thought of as ill-fate
And with that choice the king concurred.
When next the spectral voice was heard
he answered, Girl! and in due time
a girl was born. She was sublime.
The king, to try to foil her doom,
ensconced her in a special room.
She had the best he could provide,
but she could never go outside.
When she was grown, My dear, he said,
I’ve found a king for you to wed.
I know that you’ll be happy there.
He led her to the open air.
Then suddenly a wind arose.
It blew the girl right off her toes
and swept her into a ravine.
She was no longer to be seen.
She landed at an earthen hut.
An ogress was the owner, but
she was away. An aged dame
confronted her. What is your name?
Marchetta, ma’am, the girl replied.
Bad luck has brought you. Come inside.
My mistress feeds on girls like you.
She would have eaten my flesh too
except, you see, I am too old
and not so luscious to behold.
I serve her well. She lets me be.
What shall we do with you? Let’s see.
We’ll hide you, and I’ll see you’re fed,
but first perform this task, she said.
With broom and rags make her house gleam.
She’ll hold it in a high esteem
and will not crave your blood. Not yet.
But you stay hidden. Don’t forget.
Marchetta did as she was bid.
Who cleaned? the ogress asked. I did,
the crone replied. Ah, so?
Some trick you plan? I’d like to know.
But even if it’s sly you are,
you’ve served me well. I’m pleased. So far.
Next day the ogress left again.
The old crone told Marchetta then,
The time has come to earn your stay
Cook up a meal while she’s away.
She’ll be so pleased she’ll start to swear
upon all sorts of things. Take care.
She’ll promise this and promise that.
You keep in mind this caveat:
Though she may swear, stay right in place.
Marchetta, do not show your face,
not if she smiles, not if she frowns,
until she swears by her three crowns.
The ogress said, Who’s hiding there?
I’ll love her like my own. I swear
upon three candles that are lit
at night when there’s a contract writ.
I swear by those three spans of rope
that finalize a hanged man’s hope,
three witnesses the hanged man sees,
and by these other sorts of three’s:
thing one, thing two, and thing the third.
Marchetta waited till she heard
I swear, and here she bit her lip,
if I could meet your ladyship
I’d love you more than words can tell.
By my three crowns I’ll treat you well.
At that Marchetta said, I’m here.
The ogress said, I hold you dear
for all the service you have done.
I will not eat you, precious one.
Here are my keys, but this I warn:
you will regret that you were born
if that last room does not stay sealed.
At her first chance Marchetta kneeled
and turned the lock. On three gold beds
three lovely maidens laid their heads,
the daughters of the ogress who
had learned that perils were their due
and so ensorcelled them to wait
for someone who could obviate
their fortunes, which could only be
a woman born of royalty.
Once freed they rushed outside and met
the ogress who was quite upset.
She slapped Marchetta on the face.
Then I must leave your humble place.
I’ll make my way and look for hire
if you will give me man’s attire.
Amends were tried. They did no good.
Marchetta set off through the wood.
Upon her hand she wore a ring,
a gift the ogress said would bring
her help if she had urgent need.
She looked a handsome youth indeed.
A king who saw her asked her, Lad,
do you seek work? It can be had.
I’d like a pretty page like you.
Quite willingly she said, I do,
I’ve run from home. I’d gladly give
my service for a place to live.
They went back to his palace where
the queen found her extremely fair,
so fair, in fact, she uttered sighs
and followed her with love-sick eyes.
The queen advanced. Marchetta fled.
Don’t so disgrace your lord, she pled.
The queen said, I won’t be denied.
You’ll rue the day you hurt my pride!
Straightway she ran off to the king.
Your page has done a dreadful thing.
His loins are filled with youthful lust.
He begged me to betray your trust.
The king believed the words she spoke.
Then send him to the hangman’s yoke.
There stood Marchetta, cruelly tied.
What has become of me? she cried.
If aught I’ve done I know it not.
But who will save me from this spot?
Around the gibbet stood a crowd.
She rubbed her ring. It called out loud.
Three times it roared, You do not know.
She is a woman. Let her go!
This frightened everyone around.
They eased Marchetta to the ground.
The king demanded, Tell the truth!
You obviously are not a youth.
Marchetta let her tears run free.
My lord, these things occurred to me.
She told the story of her life
which ended with his wicked wife.
Your father told me once of you.
He meant you for my bride. It's true.
.He summoned both her parents then
and saw them reunite again.
As for his wife, immediately
he had her thrown into the sea.
Marchetta and the king were wed.
And of Marchetta it is said
the wind which once had played her sport
now brought her safely home to port.
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