And so they rode , one day like the wind , the next like thought , the third and fourth like desire and like a curse , till they reached the borders of the desert . ` Now walk , so that I may look about , and see what I have never seen before , ' said Petru , rubbing his eyes like one who wakes from sleep , or like him who beholds something so strange that it seems as if ... Before Petru lay a wood made of copper , with copper trees and copper leaves , with bushes and flowers of copper also . Petru stood and stared as a man does when he sees something that he has never seen , and of which he has never heard . Then he rode right into the wood . On each side of the way the rows of flowers began to praise Petru , and to try and persuade him to pick some of them and make himself a wreath . ` Take me , for I am lovely , and can give strength to whoever plucks me , ' said one . ` No , take me , for whoever wears me in his hat will be loved by the most beautiful woman in the world , ' pleaded the second ; and then one after another bestirred itself , each more charming than the last , all promising , in soft sweet voices , wonderful things to Petru , if only he would pick them . Petru was not deaf to their persuasion , and was just stooping to pick one when the horse sprang to one side . ` Why do n't you stay still ? ' asked Petru roughly . ` Do not pick the flowers ; it will bring you bad luck ; answered the horse . ` Why should it do that ? ' ` These flowers are under a curse . Whoever plucks them must fight the Welwa -LRB- 1 -RRB- of the woods . ' -LRB- 1 -RRB- A goblin . ` What kind of a goblin is the Welwa ? ' ` Oh , do leave me in peace ! But listen . Look at the flowers as much as you like , but pick none , ' and the horse walked on slowly . Petru knew by experience that he would do well to attend to the horse 's advice , so he made a great effort and tore his mind away from the flowers .
But XXXXX vain !
before by from if in into like so than under