cried the voice again , ` twine yourself round his neck and strangle him . ' ` No , ' replied the rope ; ` you have left me for many years past to fall to pieces with the damp . He has stretched me out in the sun . Let him go in peace . ' ` Dog , my good dog , ' cried the voice , more and more angry , ` jump at his throat and eat him up . ' ` No , ' replied the dog ; ` though I have served you long , you never gave me any bread . He has given me as much as I want . Let him go in peace . ' ` Iron gate , iron gate , ' cried the voice , growling like thunder , ` fall on him and grind him to powder . ' ` No , ' replied the gate ; ` it is a hundred years since you left me to rust , and he has oiled me . Let him go in peace . ' VI Once outside , the young adventurer put his oranges into a bag that hung from his saddle , mounted his horse , and rode quickly out of the forest . Now , as he was longing to see the princesses , he was very anxious to come to a river or a fountain , but , though he rode for hours , a river or fountain was nowhere to be seen . Still his heart was light , for he felt that he had got through the most difficult part of his task , and the rest was easy . About mid-day he reached a sandy plain , scorching in the sun . Here he was seized with dreadful thirst ; he took his gourd and raised it to his lips . But the gourd was empty ; in the excitement of his joy he had forgotten to fill it . He rode on , struggling with his sufferings , but at last he could bear it no longer . He let himself slide to the earth , and lay down beside his horse , his throat burning , his chest heaving , and his head going round . Already he felt that death was near him , when his eyes fell on the bag where the oranges peeped out .
Poor Desire , who had braved so many dangers XXXXX win the lady of his dreams , would have given at this moment all the princesses in the world , were they pink or golden , for a single drop of water .
About at beside for from in like near on to