"
So he said farewell, and rode into the world.
"I think I will go, too," said the younger son, "if I can have your
leave. For my heart goes out to the maid."
"You will ride home with me," said his father.
So they rode home, and when they came to the dun, the King had his
son into his treasury. "Here," said he, "is the touchstone which
shows truth; for there is no truth but plain truth; and if you will
look in this, you will see yourself as you are."
And the younger son looked in it, and saw his face as it were the
face of a beardless youth, and he was well enough pleased; for the
thing was a piece of a mirror.
"Here is no such great thing to make a work about," said he; "but
if it will get me the maid I shall never complain. But what a fool
is my brother to ride into the world, and the thing all the while
at home!"
So they rode back to the other dun, and showed the mirror to the
King that was a priest; and when he had looked in it, and seen
himself like a King, and his house like a King's house, and all
things like themselves, he cried out and blessed God. "For now I
know," said he, "there is no truth but the plain truth; and I am a
King indeed, although my heart misgave me." And he pulled down his
temple, and built a new one; and then the younger son was married
to the maid.
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