“Yes, indeed!” said the lady.

“I cannot sell it for less,” rejoined the swineherd.

“He is an impudent fellow!” said the Princess, and she walked on; but when she had gone a little way, the bells tinkled so prettily

    “Ach! du lieber Augustin,
    Alles ist weg, weg, weg!”

“Stay,” said the Princess.  “Ask him if he will have ten kisses from the ladies of my court.”

“No, thank you!” said the swineherd.  “Ten kisses from the Princess, or I keep the kitchen-pot myself.”

“That must not be, either!” said the Princess.  “But do you all stand before me that no one may see us.”

And the court-ladies placed themselves in front of her, and spread out their dresses—­the swineherd got ten kisses, and the Princess—­the kitchen-pot.

That was delightful!  The pot was boiling the whole evening, and the whole of the following day.  They knew perfectly well what was cooking at every fire throughout the city, from the chamberlain’s to the cobbler’s; the court-ladies danced and clapped their hands.

“We know who has soup, and who has pancakes for dinner to-day, who has cutlets, and who has eggs.  How interesting!”

“Yes, but keep my secret, for I am an Emperor’s daughter.”

The swineherd—­that is to say—­the Prince, for no one knew that he was other than an ill-favored swineherd, let not a day pass without working at something; he at last constructed a rattle, which, when it was swung round, played all the waltzes and jig tunes, which have ever been heard since the creation of the world.

“Ah, that is superbe!” said the Princess when she passed by.  “I have never heard prettier compositions!  Go in and ask him the price of the instrument; but mind, he shall have no more kisses!”

“He will have a hundred kisses from the Princess!” said the lady who had been to ask.

“I think he is not in his right senses!” said the Princess, and walked on, but when she had gone a little way, she stopped again.  “One must encourage art,” said she, “I am the Emperor’s daughter.  Tell him he shall, as on yesterday, have ten kisses from me, and may take the rest from the ladies of the court.”

“Oh—­but we should not like that at all!” said they.  “What are you muttering?” asked the Princess.  “If I can kiss him, surely you can.  Remember that you owe everything to me.”  So the ladies were obliged to go to him again.

“A hundred kisses from the Princess,” said he, “or else let everyone keep his own!”

“Stand round!” said she; and all the ladies stood round her whilst the kissing was going on.

“What can be the reason for such a crowd close by the pigsty?” said the Emperor, who happened just then to step out on the balcony; he rubbed his eyes, and put on his spectacles.  “They are the ladies of the court; I must go down and see what they are about!” So he pulled up his slippers at the heel, for he had trodden them down.