J. F. Campbell Collection > Fireside stories of Ireland

0» THE FIRESIDE STORIES OF IRELAND.
of the world," and the hermit gave him directions how he'd
go to it. He was to cross seven seas, and seven lakes, and
seven rivers, and seven mountains, and seven hills, and
seven commons, and then he'd see before him a castle of
brass, and all he knew farther was that the Well of the
World' s-End water was in the garden of that castle.
So the prince set out, and one day he sat down by the
way side to eat some bread and cold meat. Up came a
poor, ragged, withered old woman, and asked him to give
her a bit to keep the life in her. " Go away, you old hag,
out of that ! " said he, "I have nothing for you." "Well,
well," said she ; " God help the poor ! But would your
majesty tell a poor body where you're going ? " " What's
that to you, you old witch ? " said he again ; " go about
your business, and don't be bothering me ! " " Well,
prince," said she, " your birth is better than your manners
anyhow. Still, for sake of the king and queen that owns
you, I'll give you an advice. Xever blow your bugle till
you first draw your sword, and when you're on duty resist
temptation." " Thank you for nothing," said he. " I've
got enough of you." So she went awaj^, muttering.
Well, when he passed the remaining hills and com-
mons and lakes and rivers, he saw far off the castle of
brass, and in good time he arrived at it. There was a bugle
horn hanging by the door, and, without minding the old
woman's advice, he put it to his mouth and blew it with-
out thinking of his sword. Open flew the door, and out
on him rushed two lions roaring like thunder. He thought
to pull out his sword, but they kept on biting and scratch-
ing and tearing him till he thought he was done for. "Go
then," says one of them. "You are a bad prince, butj^ou
are on a good business, and we'll give you your life."
Well, he stumbled in, and there he was in a long hall, and
at each side were standing fift}'^ knights in armour, holding
up their spears, and all dead asleep. His heart beat, but he
passed on, and in the next hall there was a beautiful prin-
cess with a crown on her head, and she sitting on a throne.
He approached her, and made all sorts of nice speeches to
her, but she reminded him of the business he was on, and
told him there was no time to be lost. "After passing