So there was no luck so far ; but the next day the prince passed by again and looked at her , and saluted her kindly , as a prince might a farmer 's daughter , and passed one ; and soon the witch 's daughter passed by , and found her combing her hair , and pearls and diamonds dropping from it . Well , another bargain was made , and the princess spent another night of sorrow , and she left the castle at daybreak , and the footman was at his post and enjoyed his revenge . The third day the prince went by , and stopped to talk with the strange woman . He asked her could he do anything to serve her , and she said he might . She asked him did he ever wake at night . He said that he often did , but that during the last two nights he was listening to a sweet song in his dreams , and could not wake , and that the voice was one that he must have known and loved in some other world long ago . Says she , ` Did you drink any sleepy posset either of these evenings before you went to bed ? ' ' I did , ' said he . ` The two evenings my wife gave me something to drink , but I do n't know whether it was a sleepy posset or not . ' ` Well , prince , ' said she , ` as you say you would wish to oblige me , you can do it by not tasting any drink to-night . ' ' I will not , ' says he , and then he went on his walk . Well , the great lady came soon after the prince , and found the stranger using her hand-reel and winding threads of gold off it , and the third bargain was made . That evening the prince was lying on his bed at twilight , and his mind much disturbed ; and the door opened , and in his princess walked , and down she sat by his bedside and sung : Four long years I was married to thee ; Three sweet babes I bore to thee ; Brown Bear of Norway , turn to me . ` Brown Bear of Norway ! ' said he . ' I do n't understand you . ' ` Do n't you remember , prince , that I was your wedded wife for four years ? ' ' I do not , ' said he , ` but I 'm sure I wish it was so . ' ` Do n't you remember our three babes that are still alive ? ' ` Show me them .
My mind is all a heap XXXXX confusion . '
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