--- title: The Girl Who Pretended to Be a Boy, part 3 — The Violet Fairy Book · full text with trees description: The Girl Who Pretended to Be a Boy, part 3, «The Violet Fairy Book» by Andrew Lang: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: Then, in despair, the princess again bent down and asked if there was nothing more to be done, and Sunlight replied ‘Quick, quick, --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [The Violet Fairy Book](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/) / The Girl Who Pretended to Be a Boy, pa… # The Girl Who Pretended to Be a Boy, part 3 The Girl Who Pretended to Be a Boy, part 3 of «The Violet Fairy Book» by Andrew Lang: the whole text, 93 sentences and 2329 words. Every sentence has its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself; 1 of them are in the tales treebank and were checked by a teacher model. - [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/1/) — Then, in despair, the princess again bent down and asked if there was nothing more to be done, and Sunlight replied ‘Quick, quick, take off the betrothal ring on the finger of Iliane and throw it behind you.’ - [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/2/) — This time there sprang up a great tower of stone, smooth as ivory, hard as steel, which reached up to heaven itself. - [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/3/) — And the mother of the genius gave a howl of rage, knowing that she could neither climb it nor get through it. - [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/4/) — But she was not beaten yet, and gathering herself together, she made a prodigious leap, which landed her on the top of the tower, right in the middle of Iliane’s ring which lay there, and held her tight. - [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/5/) — Only her claws could be seen grasping the battlements. - [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/6/) — All that could be done the old witch did; but the fire that poured from her mouth never reached the fugitives, though it laid waste the country a hundred miles round the tower, like the flames of a volcano. - [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/7/) — Then, with one last effort to free herself, her hands gave way, and, falling down to the bottom of the tower, she was broken in pieces. - [8](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/8/) — When the flying princess saw what had happened she rode back to the spot, as Sunlight counselled her, and placed her finger on the top of the tower, which was gradually shrinking into the earth. - [9](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/9/) — In an instant the tower had vanished as if it had never been, and in its place was the finger of the princess with a ring round it. - [10](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/10/) — The emperor received Iliane with all the respect that was due to her, and fell in love at first sight besides. - [11](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/11/) — But this did not seem to please Iliane, whose face was sad as she walked about the palace or gardens, wondering how it was that, while other girls did as they liked, she was always in the power of someone whom she hated. - [12](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/12/) — So when the emperor asked her to share his throne Iliane answered: - [13](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/13/) — ‘Noble Sovereign, I may not think of marriage till my stud of horses has been brought me, with their trappings all complete.’ - [14](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/14/) — When he heard this, the emperor once more sent for Fet-Fruners, and said: - [15](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/15/) — ‘Fet-Fruners, fetch me instantly the stud of mares, with their trappings all complete. - [16](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/16/) — If not, your head shall pay the forfeit.’ - [17](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/17/) — ‘Mighty Emperor, I kiss your hands! - [18](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/18/) — I have but just returned from doing your bidding, and, behold, you send me on another mission, and stake my head on its fulfilment, when your court is full of valiant young men, pining to win their spurs. - [19](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/19/) — They say you are a just man; then why not entrust this quest to one of them? - [20](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/20/) — Where am I to seek these mares that I am to bring you?’ - [21](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/21/) — ‘How do I know? - [22](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/22/) — They may be anywhere in heaven or earth; but, wherever they are, you will have to find them.’ - [23](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/23/) — The princess bowed and went to consult Sunlight. - [24](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/24/) — He listened while she told her tale, and then said: - [25](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/25/) — ‘Fetch quickly nine buffalo skins; smear them well with tar, and lay them on my back. - [26](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/26/) — Do not fear; you will succeed in this also; but, in the end, the emperor’s desires will be his undoing.’ - [27](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/27/) — The buffalo skins were soon got, and the princess started off with Sunlight. - [28](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/28/) — The way was long and difficult, but at length they reached the place where the mares were grazing. - [29](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/29/) — Here the genius who had carried off Iliane was wandering about, trying to discover how to capture them, all the while believing that Iliane was safe in the palace where he had left her. - [30](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/30/) — As soon as she caught sight of him, the princess went up and told him that Iliane had escaped, and that his mother, in her efforts to recapture her, had died of rage. - [31](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/31/) — At this news a blind fury took possession of the genius, and he rushed madly upon the princess, who awaited his onslaught with perfect calmness. - [32](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/32/) — As he came on, with his sabre lifted high in the air, Sunlight bounded right over his head, so that the sword fell harmless. - [33](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/33/) — And when in her turn the princess prepared to strike, the horse sank upon his knees, so that the blade pierced the genius’s thigh. - [34](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/34/) — The fight was so fierce that it seemed as if the earth would give way under them, and for twenty miles round the beasts in the forests fled to their caves for shelter. - [35](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/35/) — At last, when her strength was almost gone, the genius lowered his sword for an instant. - [36](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/36/) — The princess saw her chance, and, with one swoop of her arm, severed her enemy’s head from his body. - [37](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/37/) — Still trembling from the long struggle, she turned away, and went to the meadow where the stud were feeding. - [38](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/38/) — By the advice of Sunlight, she took care not to let them see her, and climbed a thick tree, where she could see and hear without being seen herself. - [39](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/39/) — Then he neighed, and the mares came galloping up, eager to see the new comer--all but one horse, who did not like strangers, and thought they were very well as they were. - [40](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/40/) — As Sunlight stood his ground, well pleased with the attention paid him, this sulky creature suddenly advanced to the charge, and bit so violently that had it not been for the nine buffalo skins Sunlight’s last moment would have come. - [41](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/41/) — When the fight was ended, the buffalo skins were in ribbons, and the beaten animal writhing with pain on the grass. - [42](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/42/) — Nothing now remained to be done but to drive the whole stud to the emperor’s court. - [43](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/43/) — So the princess came down from the tree and mounted Sunlight, while the stud followed meekly after, the wounded horse bringing up the rear. - [44](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/44/) — On reaching the palace, she drove them into a yard, and went to inform the emperor of her arrival. - [45](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/45/) — The news was told at once to Iliane, who ran down directly and called them to her one by one, each mare by its name. - [46](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/46/) — And at the first sight of her the wounded animal shook itself quickly, and in a moment its wounds were healed, and there was not even a mark on its glossy skin. - [47](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/47/) — By this time the emperor, on hearing where she was, joined her in the yard, and at her request ordered the mares to be milked, so that both he and she might bathe in the milk and keep young for ever. - [48](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/48/) — But they would suffer no one to come near them, and the princess was commanded to perform this service also. - [49](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/49/) — At this, the heart of the girl swelled within her. - [50](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/50/) — The hardest tasks were always given to her, and long before the two years were up, she would be worn out and useless. - [51](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/51/) — But while these thoughts passed through her mind, a fearful rain fell, such as no man remembered before, and rose till the mares were standing up to their knees in water. - [52](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/52/) — Then as suddenly it stopped, and, behold! the water was ice, which held the animals firmly in its grasp. - [53](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/53/) — And the princess’s heart grew light again, and she sat down gaily to milk them, as if she had done it every morning of her life. - [54](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/54/) — The love of the emperor for Iliane waxed greater day by day, but she paid no heed to him, and always had an excuse ready to put off their marriage. - [55](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/55/) — At length, when she had come to the end of everything she could think of, she said to him one day: ‘Grant me, Sire, just one request more, and then I will really marry you; for you have waited patiently this long time.’ - [56](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/56/) — ‘My beautiful dove,’ replied the emperor, ‘both I and all I possess are yours, so ask your will, and you shall have it.’ - [57](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/57/) — ‘Get me, then,’ she said, ‘a flask of the holy water that is kept in a little church beyond the river Jordan, and I will be your wife.’ - [58](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/58/) — Then the emperor ordered Fet-Fruners to ride without delay to the river Jordan, and to bring back, at whatever cost, the holy water for Iliane. - [59](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/59/) — ‘This, my mistress,’ said Sunlight, when she was saddling him, ‘is the last and most difficult of your tasks. - [60](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/60/) — But fear nothing, for the hour of the emperor has struck.’ - [61](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/61/) — So they started; and the horse, who was not a wizard for nothing, told the princess exactly where she was to look for the holy water. - [62](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/62/) — ‘It stands,’ he said, ‘on the altar of a little church, and is guarded by a troop of nuns. - [63](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/63/) — They never sleep, night or day, but every now and then a hermit comes to visit them, and from him they learn certain things it is needful for them to know. - [64](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/64/) — When this happens, only one of the nuns remains on guard at a time, and if we are lucky enough to hit upon this moment, we may get hold of the vase at once; if not, we shall have to wait the arrival of the hermit, however long it may be; for there is no other means of obtaining the holy water.’ - [65](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/65/) — They came in sight of the church beyond the Jordan, and, to their great joy, beheld the hermit just arriving at the door. - [66](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/66/) — They could hear him calling the nuns around him, and saw them settle themselves under a tree, with the hermit in their midst--all but one, who remained on guard, as was the custom. - [67](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/67/) — The hermit had a great deal to say, and the day was very hot, so the nun, tired of sitting by herself, lay down right across the threshold, and fell sound asleep. - [68](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/68/) — Then Sunlight told the princess what she was to do, and the girl stepped softly over the sleeping nun, and crept like a cat along the dark aisle, feeling the wall with her fingers, lest she should fall over something and ruin it all by a noise. - [69](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/69/) — But she reached the altar in safety, and found the vase of holy water standing on it. - [70](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/70/) — This she thrust into her dress, and went back with the same care as she came. — checked by a teacher - [71](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/71/) — With a bound she was in the saddle, and seizing the reins bade Sunlight take her home as fast as his legs could carry him. - [72](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/72/) — The sound of the flying hoofs aroused the nun, who understood instantly that the precious treasure was stolen, and her shrieks were so loud and piercing that all the rest came flying to see what was the matter. - [73](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/73/) — The hermit followed at their heels, but seeing it was impossible to overtake the thief, he fell on his knees and called his most deadly curse down on her head, praying that if the thief was a man, he might become a woman; and if she was a woman, that she might become a man. - [74](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/74/) — In either case he thought that the punishment would be severe. - [75](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/75/) — But punishments are things about which people do not always agree, and when the princess suddenly felt she was really the man she had pretended to be, she was delighted, and if the hermit had only been within reach she would have thanked him from her heart. - [76](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/76/) — By the time she reached the emperor’s court, Fet-Fruners looked a young man all over in the eyes of everyone; and even the mother of the genius would now have had her doubts set at rest. - [77](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/77/) — He drew forth the vase from his tunic and held it up to the emperor, saying: ‘Mighty Sovereign, all hail! - [78](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/78/) — I have fulfilled this task also, and I hope it is the last you have for me; let another now take his turn.’ - [79](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/79/) — ‘I am content, Fet-Fruners,’ replied the emperor, ‘and when I am dead it is you who will sit upon my throne; for I have yet no son to come after me. - [80](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/80/) — But if one is given me, and my dearest wish is accomplished, then you shall be his right hand, and guide him with your counsels.’ - [81](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/81/) — But though the emperor was satisfied, Iliane was not, and she determined to revenge herself on the emperor for the dangers which he had caused Fet-Fruners to run. - [82](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/82/) — And as for the vase of holy water, she thought that, in common politeness, her suitor ought to have fetched it himself, which he could have done without any risk at all. - [83](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/83/) — So she ordered the great bath to be filled with the milk of her mares, and begged the emperor to clothe himself in white robes, and enter the bath with her, an invitation he accepted with joy. - [84](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/84/) — Then, when both were standing with the milk reaching to their necks, she sent for the horse which had fought Sunlight, and made a secret sign to him. - [85](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/85/) — The horse understood what he was to do, and from one nostril he breathed fresh air over Iliane, and from the other, he snorted a burning wind which shrivelled up the emperor where he stood, leaving only a little heap of ashes. - [86](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/86/) — His strange death, which no one could explain, made a great sensation throughout the country, and the funeral his people gave him was the most splendid ever known. - [87](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/87/) — When it was over, Iliane summoned Fet-Fruners before her, and addressed him thus: - [88](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/88/) — ‘Fet-Fruners! it is you who brought me and have saved my life, and obeyed my wishes. - [89](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/89/) — It is you who gave me back my stud; you who killed the genius, and the old witch his mother; you who brought me the holy water. - [90](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/90/) — And you, and none other, shall be my husband.’ - [91](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/91/) — ‘Yes, I will marry you,’ said the young man, with a voice almost as soft as when he was a princess. - [92](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/92/) — ‘But know that in OUR house, it will be the cock who sings and not the hen!’ - [93](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/40/93/) — (From Sept Contes Roumains, Jules Brun and Leo Bachelin.) - ← previous: [The Girl Who Pretended to Be a Boy, part 2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/39/) - next →: [The Story of Halfman](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/41/) - ↑ back to [The Violet Fairy Book](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg641/)