a poetic rendition of
THE THREE ENCHANTED PRINCES
Day 4, Tale 3
Come Out
The Queen of Lovely Meadow bore three sons.
Throughout the realm there were no finer ones.
But she displeased a sorceress who, in spite,
transformed them into animals one night.
One will become a falcon, one a stag,
and one will be a dolphin, sneered the hag.
And so they were. To add to their dismay,
they’d planned to wed three princesses next day.
They were the daughters of a nearby king,
three perfect jewels, all grace embodying.
But when their father saw what had occurred,
despite his former promise, he demurred.
I simply cannot find it in my heart
to marry them to animals. Depart!
The princes, though, were not to be denied.
The falcon called the king’s birds to his side.
Each one of them was speedily deployed
to see that every blossom was destroyed.
The stag called all the animals in haste
and said, Let all the fields be laid to waste.
The dolphin ordered fish to roil each wave
and cause the ocean so to misbehave
that not a single ship was left unharmed.
The king saw quickly that the boys were charmed.
Grudgingly, he told them, I relent.
You may espouse my daughters. I consent.
Their mother told them, Wear these rings. One day
you’ll recognize each other in this way.
The falcon took the eldest for his bride
and flew her to a mountain to reside.
It stood so high that rain was never seen.
She dwelt there in his palace, like a queen.
The stag swept up the next and off they rode.
Deep in the farthest woods was his abode.
He had a house incredible to see
and gardens filled with every kind of tree.
The dolphin, with the third, swam to a reef.
Upon it was a house beyond belief,
so big it might accommodate three kings.
So lived the brides, who always wore their rings.
In time their mother bore another child.
He wondered why his mother seldom smiled.
My darling son, three sisters have you got.
They live, but where they’re hidden we know not.
Then, mother, give me leave and have no fears.
I’ll find them though it takes a hundred years.
Each one will wear a ring, she said, like this.
She slipped it on his finger with a kiss.
His father proffered him a golden chest
and servants to escort him on his quest,
and he set off to search the whole wide world.
No stone was left unturned, each clue unfurled.
His servants quit. His money soon was gone.
But still this valiant brother struggled on.
One day he climbed a mountain where he gazed
upon a golden palace. So amazed
was he that he could only stop and stare.
His sister spied a stranger standing there.
Who are you? she demanded. Why forlorn?
I seek three sisters lost ere I was born.
Ah. Let me see your ring. It’s just like mine!
Then we are siblings, proved by this design.
My husband might be wary. Come inside.
I’ll speak with him, but meanwhile you must hide.
My dearest falcon, I have got a yen
to visit with my parents once again.
That cannot be. Then may they come to me?
If one were here, how angry would you be?
I would be pleased, but who would come so far?
She called her brother.Tell him who you are.
You’re welcome, said the falcon, to our place.
Two weeks he lived content in their embrace.
Then he set forth to carry on his task.
If you should want my help, you need but ask.
This feather, said the falcon, will l hear.
Just say ‘Come out!’ and drop it. I’ll appear.
He found himself at long last in the wood
and stopped to pick some fruit. It looked so good.
His sister saw him and the ring he wore.
In friendship he was welcomed as before.
A fortnight passed. When he took leave from there,
the stag gave him to keep one single hair.
If you’re in trouble, drop it on the ground
and say ‘Come Out!’ I’ll hasten to the sound.
More time went by. He finally reached the sea
and boarded ship in search of sister three.
He found her island home and, once on land,
revealed to her the ring upon his hand.
One day he said, It’s time. I must go back.
The dolphin put a scale into his pack.
Take this along, and if you are in need
just drop it, say ‘Come Out’ and I will heed.
He said goodbye and traveled on alone.
Before his eyes a tower made of stone
rose from a lake. He heard a maiden weep.
A dragon sat beside her, fast asleep.
She saw him and called out, Youth riding by,
have pity on this princess, or I’ll die!
Most beautiful of maids, I wish I might
but I can’t swim the lake, nor climb the height.
nor slay the fearful dragon at your side.
But wait! I have three charms which can be tried.
And uttering 'Come Out ' he dropped each gift.
The princes heard his call. Response was swift.
They stood there saying, What is your desire?
He said, Naught for myself do I require,
but save the princess. Give her back her life.
Then I will take her home to be my wife.
The falcon summoned griffins to attack.
Go get the maid. Don’t harm her. Bring her back.
They did, but then the dragon came awake.
With angry roars he jumped into the lake.
He would have slain them all but on the shore
stood beasts the stag had summoned. Now they tore
and bit the monster. Soon he lay there dead.
And I will help you, too, the dolphin said.
He caused the lake to rise to cover all.
The crumbling tower sank beneath the squall.
How can we thank you, sirs? No words will do.
But no, the brothers said. We must thank you.
We had to live as animals until
we saved a princess. Now the curse is nil.
Their shapes began to melt away right then.
They were, once more, three beautiful young men.
The princess nearly fainted. So did he.
What joy! I wish my parents could but see.
And so they shall, the princes said. From shame
we hid so none should see what we became.
Now we will bring our wives and we’ll repair
back to the home from which they left, and where
we’ll spend our lives, on this we all agree,
beneath one roof in perfect harmony.
A coach drawn by six lions came in sight
and drove them to an inn. That very night
the princes fetched their wives and then all eight
made haste to travel home to celebrate.
The kings and queens who once had thought them lost
prepared a feast for them.They spared no cost.
And in such hours of happiness, they say,
all memories of sorrow slip away.
