DANISH FAIRY AND FOLK TALES
hoofs, and howling with pain and fury. He saw that his life was yet at stake, for if the unicorn succeeded in getting away no doubt it would again turn upon him. So, however hard it went with him, he must pull out his hacked sword, which he ran into the neck of the unicorn with all his might. A stream of green and black blood burst out through the wound, while the animal began howling like all the swine in the land of Franconia taken together. This was again too much for the heroic tailor; he fainted, but when he awoke the animal lay dead by his side. Without stopping to examine it he repaired to the palace with the news of his great deed. The whole city rejoiced over it. He was led through the streets in triumph, and all the church-bells rang for him. A gold chain was placed around his neck by the king himself; two hundred shining gold pieces were paid him; the queen kissed his forehead, and all the great and small poets made verse in honor of his heroism.
But our friend had had enough of both fright and honor. He wished himself far from Franconia and all its giants and unicorns. When he went to bed in the evening he swore that nothing would induce him to fight more of these frightful monsters, or to dream of great deeds, for he had found that dreams were dreams, and sometimes far from reality.
The next morning he packed his knapsack, stuffing the belt and money together at the bottom, whereupon he went over to bid good-bye to the king
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