` It really MUST be true , ' thought Petru . ` Now I know what I have to do . I shall have to go on putting that question , and getting boxes on the ear , till both eyes laugh together . ' No sooner said than done . Petru never , never forswore himself . ` Petru , my dear boy , ' cried the emperor , both his eyes laughing together , ' I see you have got this on the brain . Well , I will let you into the secret . My right eye laughs when I look at my three sons , and see how strong and handsome you all are , and the other eye weeps because I fear that after I die you will not be able to keep the empire together , and to protect it from its enemies . But if you can bring me water from the spring of the Fairy of the Dawn , to bathe my eyes , then they will laugh for evermore ; for I shall know that my sons are brave enough to overcome any foe . ' Thus spoke the emperor , and Petru picked up his hat and went to find his brothers . The three young men took counsel together , and talked the subject well over , as brothers should do . And the end of it was that Florea , as the eldest , went to the stables , chose the best and handsomest horse they contained , saddled him , and took leave of the court . ' I am starting at once , ' said he to his brothers , ` and if after a year , a month , a week , and a day I have not returned with the water from the spring of the Fairy of the Dawn , you , Costan , had better come after me . ' So saying he disappeared round a corner of the palace . For three days and three nights he never drew rein . Like a spirit the horse flew over mountains and valleys till he came to the borders of the empire . Here was a deep , deep trench that girdled it the whole way round , and there was only a single bridge by which the trench could be crossed . Florea made instantly for the bridge , and there pulled up to look around him once more , to take leave of his native land Then he turned , but before him was standing a dragon -- oh ! SUCH a dragon ! -- a dragon with three heads and three horrible faces , all with their mouths wide open , one jaw reaching to heaven and the other to earth .
At this awful sight Florea did not wait XXXXX give battle .
as at because for if of that till to with