After a year or two‚ it came to pass that the Prince rode through the forest and went by the tower. He heard a song which was so lovely that he stood still and listened. This was Rapunzel who in her loneliness passed her time singing. The Prince wanted to climb up to her‚ and looked for the door of the tower‚ but none was to be found. He rode home‚ but the singing had so deeply touched his heart‚ that every day he went out into the forest and listened to it.
Once when he was standing behind a tree listening to Rapunzel’s song‚ he saw the witch come and heard how she cried‚
“Rapunzel‚ Rapunzel‚
Let down your hair.”
Then Rapunzel let down the braids of her hair‚ and the witch climbed up to her.
“If that is the ladder by which one mounts‚ I will for once try my fortune‚” thought the Prince and the next day when it began to grow dark‚ he went to the tower and cried‚
“Rapunzel‚ Rapunzel‚
Let down your hair.”