In days gone by, there dwelt a King and a Queen in Jassy, who, to keep their only son at home with them, were always making him fine promises, which they never fulfilled.

One day this young Prince, Marin by name, went to his mother's apartments, and announced to her, that if she did not speedily bring to him the beautiful Princess from foreign parts which she had promised him to wife, he should set off in search of her himself. After waiting some weeks, finding that this promise was not likely to be fulfilled, he called for his horse and his retainers, and set off on his travels. He rode along until he came to a vast prairie, studded with the most beautiful flowers, through which meandered a silvery rivulet of pure water.

By the side of this rivulet grew a large rose tree with spreading branches, under which Marin stretched himself, and was trying to seek repose when he heard issuing from the tree these words:

I pray thee sweet and loved rose tree, Open thy bark and let me free, To seek the brook's refreshing wave, To cool my face, my limbs to bathe, To cull sweet flowers to deck my brow, Then know'st my soul is pure as snow."

Host Dan ScholzSubscribe to The Folktale Project at http://folktaleproject.com/subscribe