If in that time thou canst tell, past all dispute, what
this thing be, thou shalt have thy life and freedom. Otherwise, on my
queenly honor, thou diest, as the king had first decreed."
When the knight heard this he was filled with consternation and dismay
too great for words. At once in his heart he accused the king of
cruelty in permitting him to drag out a miserable existence for a whole
year in endeavoring to fulfill a condition which in his thoughts he at
once resolved to be impossible. For who could decide upon what would
please all ladies best, when it was agreed by all wise men that no two
of the uncertain sex would ever fix upon one and the same thing?
With these desponding thoughts Sir Ulric went out of the queen's
presence, and prepared to travel abroad over the country, if perchance
by inquiring far and wide he might find out the answer which would save
his life.
From house to house and from town to town traveled Sir Ulric, asking
maid and matron, young or old, the same question.
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