LEGENDES de BRETAGNE

" La chèvre d’argent "  !

Résumé : Puisque un marchand pense qu’avec de  l’argent on peut tout, un roi le défie de s’en servir pour séduire sa fille. S’il réussit, il pourra l’épouser. L’homme accepte et fabrique une chèvre en argent à l’intérieur de laquelle il se cache …

Un roi, en parcourant son royaume, aperçut un jour ces mots tracés au-dessus de la porte d’une maison :
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       - Avec de l’argent on va partout.
- Avec de l’argent on fait tout. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              - C'était la demeure d’un marchand enrichi par son travail et son industrie et qui, avec son argent, croyait que rien ne lui était impossible. Le roi entra dans sa maison et lui demanda :
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               — Pensez-vous que ce soit bien vrai, ce qu’on lit au-dessus de votre porte ?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     — Oui, sire, répondit-il, je l’ai éprouvé, maintes fois.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       — Eh bien ! Voulez-vous accepter ce marché ? Si, avec votre argent, vous parvenez à coucher avec ma fille, je vous la donne en mariage, et si vous n’y réussissez pas, vous serez pendu.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       — J’accepte, sire, répondit-il sans hésiter.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     — Alors, c’est entendu, et vous pouvez, dès à présent, aviser aux moyens d’arriver à votre but.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Et le roi s’en alla là-dessus ...
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Notre homme, qui se nommait Marzin, construisit une chèvre en argent, de forte dimension, qui marchait, bêlait et dansait au moyen d’un ressort intérieur qu’il faisait mouvoir.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Il s’enferma dans le ventre de sa chèvre, et alla se placer, conduit par un ami, qui était dans la confidence de son secret, sur le passage de la princesse, dans un jardin, où elle venait tous les jours se promener avec son père.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Quand ils vinrent à passer, la chèvre se mit à cabrioler, à danser et à bêler. La princesse la vit, l’admira et voulut l’avoir, à toute force.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Le roi la lui acheta, et elle la fit porter dans sa chambre à coucher.

Le soir, une fois la princesse couchée, Marzin sortit de sa cachette, et parla à la jeune fille avec tant d’amabilité, qu’il la séduisit et obtint ses faveurs.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Il ne sortait que la nuit, quelquefois, par un escalier dérobé, pour se promener dans les jardins du palais.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   La femme de chambre de la princesse, qui était dans la confidence, lui servait secrètement ses repas.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   La princesse devint grosse.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Le roi, fort en colère, l’interrogea et lui demanda qui était le père.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               —- C’est la chèvre d’argent, répondit-elle.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Et comme il n’obtenait que cette réponse, il se rendit à la chambre à coucher de sa fille, pour examiner la chèvre.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Il y trouva Marzin, qu’il reconnut bien et qui lui dit :
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   — Vous voyez que j’ai gagné, sire.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     — Comment, coquin, c’est toi ? s’écria-t-il, étonné.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       — C’est vous qui l’avez voulu, sire, en me portant un défi, et, comme je tenais à n’être pas pendu, j’ai fait de mon mieux pour éviter votre corde.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Le roi était confondu, et n’en pouvait croire ses yeux.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             — Il n’y a pas à dire, sire, reprit Marzin, vous avez perdu et j’ai gagné. Souvenez-vous de votre promesse.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        — Un roi ne doit avoir qu’une parole, répondit le vieux monarque ; j’ai donné la mienne et je la tiendrai.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Et le mariage de Marzin avec la princesse fut célébré, dans la quinzaine, et il y eut, à cette occasion, de grands festins et de grandes fêtes.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          FIN
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- La chèvre d’argent, Contes populaires de Basse-Bretagne, Morlaix. — 1877 Conte facétieux Auteur : François-Marie Luzel Illustration : H.Weis