He had strong glasses on board , and whilst looking through them he saw the princess quite clearly , and fell desperately in love with her at once . He wanted to steer straight for the tower and to row off to it in a small boat , but his entire crew fell at his feet and begged him not to run such a risk . The captain , too , urged him not to attempt it . ` You will only lead us all to certain death , ' he said . ` Pray anchor nearer land , and I will then seek a kind fairy I know , who has always been most obliging to me , and who will , I am sure , try to help your Highness . ' The prince rather unwillingly listened to reason . He landed at the nearest point , and sent off the captain in all haste to beg the fairy 's advice and help . Meantime he had a tent pitched on the shore , and spent all his time gazing at the tower and looking for the princess through his spy-glass . After a few days the captain came back , bringing the fairy with him . The prince was delighted to see her , and paid her great attention . ' I have heard about this matter , ' she said ; ` and , to lose no time , I am going to send off a trusty pigeon to test the enchantment . If there is any weak spot he is sure to find it out and get in . I shall bid him bring a flower back as a sign of success , and if he does so I quite hope to get you in too . ' ` But , ' asked the prince , ` could I not send a line by the pigeon to tell the princess of my love ? ' ` Certainly , ' replied the fairy , ` it would be a very good plan . ' So the prince wrote as follows : -- ` Lovely Princess , -- I adore you , and beg you to accept my heart , and to believe there is nothing I will not do to end your misfortunes . -- Blondel . ' This note was tied round the pigeon 's neck , and he flew off with it at once . He flew fast till he got near the tower , when a fierce wind blew so hard against him that he could not get on . But he was not to be beaten , but flew carefully round the top of the tower till he came to one spot which , by some mistake , had not been enchanted like the rest .
He quickly slipped into the arbour and waited XXXXX the princess .
against as by for if in near that through till