The Fisherman and his Wife (13)

The Fisherman and his Wife (13)

  The water was foaming and seething and dashing upon the shore.

  Still the sky was very blue in the middle, although at the sides it was angry red as in a great storm.

  So he stood shuddering in anxiety, and said ;
   " Once a prince, but changed 
      you be
      Into the Flounder in the sea.
      Come ! for my wife, Isabel,
      Wishes what I dare not tell. "

  " Well, what does she want now ? " asked the Flounder.

  " Alas ! " said the Fisherman, " she wants to be pope. "

  " Go home, then ; she is that already, " said the Flounder.

  Then he went home, and when he came there he saw a large church surrounded by palaces.

  He pushed his way through the people.

  The interior was lit up with thousands and thousands of candles, and his wife was sitting on a much higher throne, and she wore three great golden crowns.

  All the emperors and kings were on their knees before her, and were kissing her foot.

  " Wife, " said the Fisherman, " are you pope now ? "

  " Yes," she said ; " I ma pope. "

  So he stood staring at her, and it was as if he were looking at the bright sun.

  He said ; " Ah, Wife, let it be enough now that you are pope. "

(13/15)