replied the woman . ` Yes , I do , ' said the prince , and the old woman was forced to let him have his way . So he took leave of her , and put the halter round his horse 's neck and led him into the forest , where he rubbed him down till his skin was shining like gold . Then he mounted , and they flew straight through the air to the dragon 's palace . The empress had been looking for him night and day , and stole out to meet him , and he swung her on to his saddle , and the horse flew off again . Not long after the dragon came home , and when he found the empress was missing he said to his horse , ` What shall we do ? 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 .
XXXXX 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 .
So in like of over through till to upon with