But the King seized her hand and spake : `` I am no merchant , but a king of as high birth as yourself ; and it was my great love for you that made me carry you off by stratagem . The first time I saw your likeness I fell to the ground in a swoon . '' When the Princess of the Golden Roof heard this she was comforted , and her heart went out to him , so that she willingly consented to become his wife . Now it happened one day , while they were sailing on the high seas , that Trusty John , sitting on the forepart of the ship , fiddling away to himself , observed three ravens in the air flying toward him . He ceased playing , and listened to what they were saying , for he understood their language . The one croaked : `` Ah , ha ! so he 's bringing the Princess of the Golden Roof home . '' `` Yes , '' answered the second , `` but he 's not got her yet . '' `` Yes , he has , '' spake the third , `` for she 's sitting beside him on the ship . '' Then number one began again and cried : `` That 'll not help him ! When they reach the land a chestnut horse will dash forward to greet them : the King will wish to mount it , and if he does it will gallop away with him , and disappear into the air , and he will never see his bride again . '' `` Is there no escape for him ? '' asked number two . `` Oh ! yes , if someone else mounts quickly and shoots the horse dead with the pistol that is sticking in the holster , then the young King is saved . But who 's to do that ? And anyone who knows it and tells him will be turned into stone from his feet to his knees . '' Then spake number two : `` I know more than that : even if the horse is slain , the young King will still not keep his bride : when they enter the palace together they will find a ready-made wedding shirt in a cupboard , which looks as though it were woven of gold and silver , but is really made of nothing but sulphur and tar : when the King puts it on it will burn him to his marrow and bones . '' Number three asked : `` Is there no way of escape , then ? '' `` Oh !
yes , '' answered number two : `` If someone seizes the shirt XXXXX gloved hands and throws it into the fire , and lets it burn , then the young King is saved .
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