many days and years passed by, and the baby grew up into a handsome young prince, and it was time that he got married. the king sent him off to visit foreign kingdoms, in the royal coach, with six white horses, to look for a princess grand enough to be his wife. but at the very first cross-roads, the way was stopped by an enormous lindworm, enough to frighten the bravest. he lay in the middle of the road with a great wide open mouth, and cried, "a bride for me before a bride for you!" then the prince made the coach turn round and try another road: but it was all no use. for, at the first cross-ways, there lay the lindworm again, crying out, "a bride for me before a bride for you!" so the prince had to turn back home again to the castle, and give up his visits to the foreign kingdoms. and his mother, the queen, had to confess that what the lindworm said was true. for he was really the eldest of her twins: and so he ought to have a wedding first.