Then he saw before him a stately palace , and , entering , he found in a large hall a table set for twelve persons . He hid himself in the hall behind a great picture , that he might see what would happen . At noon he heard a great noise , so that he trembled with fear . When he took courage to look out from behind the picture , he saw twelve eagles flying in . At this sight his fear became still greater . The eagles flew to the basin of a fountain that was there and bathed themselves , when suddenly they were changed into twelve handsome youths . Now they seated themselves at the table , and one of them took up a goblet filled with wine , and said , ' A health to my father ! ' And another said , ' A health to my mother ! ' and so the healths went round . Then one of them said : ' A health to my dearest lady , Long may she live and well ! But a curse on the cruel mother That burnt my golden shell ! ' And so saying he wept bitterly . Then the youths rose from the table , went back to the great stone fountain , turned themselves into eagles again , and flew away . Then the old man went away too , returned to the light of day , and went home . Soon after he heard that the Princess was ill , and that the only thing that did her good was having stories told to her . He therefore went to the royal castle , obtained an audience of the Princess , and told her about the strange things he had seen in the underground palace . No sooner had he finished than the Princess asked him whether he could find the way to that palace . ` Yes , ' he answered , ` certainly . ' And now she desired him to guide her thither at once . The old man did so , and when they came to the palace he hid her behind the great picture and advised her to keep quite still , and he placed himself behind the picture also .
Presently the eagles came flying in , and changed themselves into young men , and in a moment the Princess recognised her husband amongst them all , and tried to come out XXXXX her hiding-place ; but the old man held her back .
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