in former times there lived an aged queen who was a sorceress, and her daughter was the most beautiful maiden under the sun. the old woman, however, had no other thought than how to lure mankind to destruction, and when a wooer appeared, she said that whosoever wished to have her daughter, must first perform a task, or die. many had been dazzled by the daughter’s beauty, and had actually risked this, but they never could accomplish what the old woman enjoined them to do, and then no mercy was shown; they had to kneel down, and their heads were struck off. a certain king’s son who had also heard of the maiden’s beauty, said to his father, "let me go there, i want to demand her in marriage." "never," answered the king; "if you were to go, it would be going to your death." on this the son lay down and was sick unto death, and for seven years he lay there, and no physician could heal him. when the father perceived that all hope was over, with a heavy heart he said to him, "go thither, and try your luck, for i know no other means of curing you." when the son heard that, he rose from his bed and was well again, and joyfully set out on his way.