"If the King had sent me to fetch the Princess Goldenhair, I am
certain she would have come," and these words were repeated to the
King in such a manner that they made him very angry, and he ordered
Avenant to be shut up in a high tower, to die of hunger.

In this sad plight, Avenant exclaimed one day, "How have I offended
his Majesty? He has no more faithful subject than I."

The King who happened to be passing by the tower, heard this; he
called for Avenant to be brought forth who, throwing himself on his
knees, begged to know in what way he had offended his royal master.

"You mocked me," said the King, "you said that you would have
succeeded with the Princess Goldenhair where I have failed."

"It is true, sir," replied Avenant, "I did say so, for I would have
represented your noble qualities in such a way, that she could not
help being persuaded."

The King was convinced of the young man's sincerity, and with a letter
of introduction, Avenant set out for the Court of the goldenhaired
beauty, riding alone, according to his wish, and thinking as he went
how he best could woo the Princess for his beloved master.

One day, alighting from his horse to write down some suitable words
that had come into his mind, he saw a golden carp who, leaping from
the water to catch flies, had thrown herself upon the river bank, and
was now nearly dead.

Avenant pitied the poor thing, and put her carefully back into