Helena wrung her hands and beat her breast . Then she changed herself into a white swan and flew off . But the fifth Simon seized his bow and shot the swan , and the sixth Simon did not let it fall into the water but caught it in the ship , and the swan turned into a silver fish , but Simon lost no time and caught the fish , when , quick as thought , the fish turned into a black mouse and ran about the ship . It darted towards a hole , but before it could reach it Simon sprang upon it more swiftly than any cat , and then the little mouse turned once more into the beautiful Princess Helena . Early one morning King Archidej sat thoughtfully at his window gazing out to sea . His heart was sad and he would neither eat nor drink . His thoughts were full of the Princess Helena , who was as lovely as a dream . Is that a white gull he sees flying towards the shore , or is it a sail ? No , it is no gull , it is the wonder-ship flying along with billowing sails . Its flags wave , the fiddlers play on the wire rigging , the anchor is thrown out and the crystal plank laid from the ship to the pier . The lovely Helena steps across the plank . She shines like the sun , and the stars of heaven seem to sparkle in her eyes . Up sprang King Archidej in haste : ` Hurry , hurry , ' he cried . ` Let us hasten to meet her ! Let the bugles sound and the joy bells be rung ! ' And the whole Court swarmed with courtiers and servants . Golden carpets were laid down and the great gates thrown open to welcome the princess . King Archidej went out himself , took her by the hand and led her into the royal apartments . ` Madam , ' said he , ` the fame of your beauty had reached me , but I had not dared to expect such loveliness . Still I will not keep you here against your will .
If you wish it , the wonder-ship shall take you back to your father and your own country ; but if you will consent XXXXX stay here , then reign over me and my country as our queen . '
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