you on condition that one of them comes willingly and suffers for you. Go and swear that if your daughter refuses to die instead of you, you will return within three months.”
4
The merchant had no mind[18] to sacrifice his daughters to the ugly monster, but he thought in obtaining this respite he should have the satisfaction of seeing them once more, so he promised upon oath[19], he would return, and the Beast told him he might set out when he pleased. “But,” added he, “you shall not depart emptyhanded; go back to the room where you lay, and you will see a great empty chest; fill it with whatever you like best, and I will send it to your home,” and at the same time Beast withdrew.
“Well,” said the good man to himself, “if I must die, I shall have the comfort, at least, of leaving something to my poor children.” He returned to the bedchamber, and finding a great quantity of gold, he filled the great chest the Beast had mentioned, locked it, and afterwards took his horse out of the stable, leaving the palace with as much grief as he had entered it with joy. The horse took one of the roads of the forest, and in a few hours the good man was at home.
His children came round him but didn’t receive their embraces with pleasure. Instead, he looked at them and, holding up the branch he had in his hands, burst into tears[20]. “Here, Beauty,” said he, “take these roses, but little do you think how dear they are like to cost your unhappy father,” and then told them about his unhappy adventure. Immediately, the two eldest daughters started to cry and said all manner of ill-natured things[21] to Beauty, who did not cry at all.
“Do but see the pride of that little wretch,” said they, “she would not ask for fine clothes as we did, but she wanted to distinguish herself[22], so now she will be the death of our poor father, and yet she does not so much as shed a tear[23].”
“Why should I?” answered Beauty, “It would be very needless, for my father shall not suffer upon my account[24], since the monster will accept one of his daughters, and I am very happy in thinking that my death will save my father’s life and be a proof of my tender love for him.”
“No, sister,” said her three brothers, “that shall not be; we will go and find the monster and either kill him or perish in the attempt[25].”
“Do not imagine any such thing, my sons,” said the merchant, “The Beast’s power is so great that I have no hopes of your overcoming him. I am charmed with Beauty’s kind and generous offer, but I cannot yield to it. I am old and have not long to live.”
“Indeed, father,” said Beauty, “you shall not go to the palace without me; you cannot hinder me from following you.” It was to no purpose all they could say. Beauty still insisted on setting out for the fine palace, and her sisters were delighted at it, for her virtue and amiable qualities made them envious and jealous.
The merchant was so afflicted at the thoughts of losing his daughter that he had quite forgot the chest full of gold, but at night when he retired to rest[26], no sooner had he shut his chamber door, then, to his great astonishment[27], he found it by his bedside; he was determined, however, not to tell his children that he was grown rich because they would have wanted to return to town, and he was resolved not to leave the country; but the Beauty informed him that two gentlemen came in his absence[28] and courted her sisters. She begged her father to consent to their marriage and give them fortunes, for she was so good that she loved them and forgave heartily their behaviour. These wicked creatures rubbed their eyes with an onion to force some tears[29] when they parted with their sister, but her brothers were really concerned.
5
The horse took the direct road to the palace, and they reached the castle towards evening. The horse went into the stable, and the good man and his daughter came into the great hall, where they found a table splendidly served up and two covers. The merchant didn’t want to eat, but Beauty, endeavoring to appear cheerful, sat down to table and helped him. “Afterwards,” thought she to herself, “the Beast surely has a mind[30] to fatten me before he eats me, since he provides such plentiful entertainment[31].” When they had supped, they heard a great noise, and the merchant, all in tears, bid his poor child, farewell, for he thought the Beast was coming. Beauty was sadly terrified of his horrid form, but she took courage[32] as well as she could and said to the monster that she came willingly.
The Beast responded, “You are very good, and I am greatly obliged to you; honest man, go your ways tomorrow morning but never think of coming here again.”
“Farewell, Beauty. Farewell, Beast,” answered he, and the monster withdrew immediately. “Oh, daughter,” said the merchant, embracing Beauty, “I am almost frightened to death, believe me, you had better go back and let me stay here.”
“No, father,” said Beauty in a resolute tone, “you shall set out tomorrow morning and leave me to the care and protection of providence.” They went to bed and thought they should not close their eyes all night; but they fell fast asleep quickly, and Beauty dreamed a fine lady came and said to her, “I am content, Beauty, with your good will; this good action of yours in giving up your own life to save your father’s shall not go unrewarded.” Beauty woke and told her father her dream and though it helped to comfort him a little, yet he could not help crying bitterly[33] when he took leave of his dear child.
As soon as he was gone, Beauty sat down in the great hall and started crying, for she firmly believed the Beast would eat her up that night.
However, she thought she might as well walk about until then and view this fine castle, which she could not help admiring[34]; it was a delightful pleasant place, and she was extremely surprised at seeing a door over which was written “Beauty’s Apartment.” She opened it hastily and was quite dazzled with the magnificence that reigned throughout; but what chiefly took up her attention was a large library, a harpsichord, and several music books. Then she reflected, “Were I but to stay here a day, there would not have been all these preparations.” This consideration inspired her with fresh courage; and opening the library, she took a book and read these words in letters of gold:
Welcome Beauty,
banish fear,
You are queen
and mistress here.
Speak your wishes,
speak your will,
Swift obedience
meets them still[35].
6
“Alas,” said she with a sigh, “there is nothing I desire so much as to see my poor father and know what he is doing.” As soon as she said this, to her great amazement, she saw her own home in a great looking glass, where her father arrived with a very dejected countenance[36]. Her sisters went to meet