The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales (Pantheon Books) - Jacob Grimm [355]
“Church-door, break not,
I am not the true bride.”
“What are you saying there?” asked he. “Ah,” she answered, “I was only thinking of Maid Maleen.” Then he took out a precious chain, put it round her neck, and fastened the clasp. Thereupon they entered the church, and the priest joined their hands together before the altar, and married them. He led her home, but she did not speak a single word the whole way. When they got back to the royal palace, she hurried into the bride’s chamber, put off the magnificent clothes and the jewels, dressed herself in her gray gown, and kept nothing but the jewel on her neck, which she had received from the bridegroom.
When the night came, and the bride was to be led into the prince’s apartment, she let her veil fall over her face, that he might not observe the deception. As soon as everyone had gone away, he said to her: “What did you say to the nettle-plant which was growing by the wayside?”
“To which nettle-plant?” asked she; “I don’t talk to nettle-plants.” “If you did not do it, then you are not the true bride,” said he. So she bethought herself, and said:
“I must go out unto my maid,
Who keeps my thoughts for me.”
She went out and sought Maid Maleen. “Girl, what have you been saying to the nettle?” “I said nothing but:
‘Oh, nettle-plant,
Little nettle-plant,
What dost thou here alone?
I have known the time
When I ate thee unboiled,
When I ate thee unroasted.’ ”
The bride ran back into the chamber, and said: “I know now what I said to the nettle,” and she repeated the words which she had just heard. “But what did you say to the foot-bridge when we went over it?” asked the King’s son. “To the foot-bridge?” she answered. “I don’t talk to foot-bridges.” “Then you are not the true bride.”
She again said:
“I must go out unto my maid,
Who keeps my thoughts for me.”
and ran out and scolded Maid Maleen: “Girl, what did you say to the foot-bridge?”
“I said nothing but:
Foot-bridge, do not break,
I am not the true bride.”
“That costs you your life!” cried the bride, but she hurried into the room, and said: “I know now what I said to the foot-bridge,” and she repeated the words. “But what did you say to the church-door?” “To the church-door?” she replied; “I don’t talk to church-doors.” “Then you are not the true bride.”
She went out and scolded Maid Maleen, and said: “Girl, what did you say to the church-door?” “I said nothing but:
Church-door, break not,
I am not the true bride.”
“That will break your neck for you!” cried the bride, and flew into a terrible passion, but she hastened back into the room, and said: “I know now what I said to the church-door,” and she repeated the words. “But where have you the jewel which I gave you at the church-door?” “What jewel?” she answered; “you did not give me any jewel.” “I myself put it round your neck, and I myself fastened it; if you do not know that, you are not the true bride.” He drew the veil from her face, and when he saw her immeasurable ugliness, he sprang back terrified, and said: “How do you come here? Who are you?” “I am your betrothed bride, but because I feared lest the people should mock me when they saw me out of doors, I commanded the scullery-maid to dress herself in my clothes, and to go to church instead of me.” “Where is the girl?” said he; “I want to see her, go and bring her here.” She went out and told the servants that the scullery-maid was an impostor, and that they must take her out into the court-yard and strike off her head. The servants laid hold of Maid Maleen and wanted to drag her out, but she screamed so loudly for help, that the King’s son heard her voice, hurried out of his chamber and ordered them to set the maiden free instantly. Lights were brought, and then he saw on her neck the gold chain which he had given her at the church-door. “You are the true bride,” said he, “who went with me to church; come with me now to my room.”