good-looking, scientific men from the south heard of the matter
and came to him. And when they had been hospitably received,
each explained his own science to the king.

The first said: "I am a working-man, and my name is
Five-cloth. I make five splendid suits of clothes a day. One I give
to some god and one to a Brahman. One I wear myself, and one I
shall give to my wife when I have one. The fifth I sell, to buy food
and things. This is my science. Pray give me Grace."

The second said: "I am a farmer, and my name is Linguist. I
understand the cries of all beasts and birds. Pray give me the
princess."

The third said: "I am a strong-armed soldier, and my name is
Swordsman. I have no rival on earth in the science of
swordsmanship. O King, pray give me your daughter."

The fourth said: "O King, I am a Brahman, and my name is Life. I
possess a wonderful science. For if dead creatures are brought to
me, I can quickly restore them to life. Let your daughter find a
husband in a man who has such heroic skill."

When they had spoken, and the king had seen that they all had
wonderful garments and personal beauty, he and his daughter
swung in doubt.


When the goblin had told this story, he said to the king:
"Remember the curse I mentioned, and tell me to which of them