Shall we eat and drink , or shall we follow the runaways ? ' and the horse replied , ` Whether you eat or do n't eat , drink or do n't drink , follow them or stay at home , matters nothing now , for you can never , never catch them . ' But the dragon made no reply to the horse 's words , but sprang on his back and set off in chase of the fugitives . And when they saw him coming they were frightened , and urged the prince 's horse faster and faster , till he said , ` Fear nothing ; no harm can happen to us , ' and their hearts grew calm , for they trusted his wisdom . Soon the dragon 's horse was heard panting behind , and he cried out , ` Oh , my brother , do not go so fast ! I shall sink to the earth if I try to keep up with you . ' And the prince 's horse answered , ` Why do you serve a monster like that ? Kick him off , and let him break in pieces on the ground , and come and join us . ' And the dragon 's horse plunged and reared , and the dragon fell on a rock , which broke him in pieces . Then the empress mounted his horse , and rode back with her husband to her kingdom , over which they ruled for many years . -LRB- Volksmarchen der Serben . -RRB- THE LUTE PLAYER Once upon a time there was a king and queen who lived happily and comfortably together . They were very fond of each other and had nothing to worry them , but at last the king grew restless . He longed to go out into the world , to try his strength in battle against some enemy and to win all kinds of honour and glory . So he called his army together and gave orders to start for a distant country where a heathen king ruled who ill-treated or tormented everyone he could lay his hands on . The king then gave his parting orders and wise advice to his ministers , took a tender leave of his wife , and set off with his army across the seas . I can not say whether the voyage was short or long ; but at last he reached the country of the heathen king and marched on , defeating all who came in his way . But this did not last long , for in time he came to a mountain pass , where a large army was waiting for him , who put his soldiers to flight , and took the king himself prisoner . He was carried off to the prison where the heathen king kept his captives , and now our poor friend had a very bad time indeed . All night long the prisoners were chained up , and in the morning they were yoked together like oxen and had to plough the land till it grew dark .
This state of things went on for three XXXXX before the king found any means of sending news of himself to his dear queen , but at last he contrived to send this letter : ` Sell all our castles and palaces , and put all our treasures in pawn and come and deliver me out of this horrible prison . '
Serben empress ground home morning night pieces prisoners runaways years