A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.
Overview
In Louise Lanusse’s tale Dragon, the title names a human prince rather than a reptilian monster. Seeking the City of the Four Quarters, he visits a man who summons his animals, but none knows the place. The man’s brother commands a larger assembly. Its one missing member is an eagle, which arrives after a further summons and says that it has just returned from the sought city. It agrees to guide the prince on condition that he provide flesh whenever it opens its mouth.
The prince purchases an ox and mounts the eagle with the provisions. During the sea crossing the supply runs out, and a rock below threatens to become his stopping place. He cuts flesh from his own thigh to meet the next request. The eagle reaches the far shore, confirms that the prince is in the desired city and returns home. The prince subsequently regains his intended bride using her ring and handkerchiefs, but remains lame because his flesh is still missing. The bird does not restore that injury in this account, unlike variants of related carrying-bird tales.
Origins & earliest records
Wentworth Webster, Basque Legends, Dragon, pp. 110–111; full tale pp. 106–111. Narrator Louise Lanusse of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
Records & interpretation
The complete attributed tale supplies the eagle’s speech, knowledge, food bargain and completed transport. No invented wing-span or healed-leg ending is added.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
Basque Legends: Dragon, pp. 106–111, especially 110–111
Full tale read; Dragon is the human prince’s name, and the final lameness is retained.
Family & connections
A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Primary historical collected narrativeWebster: DragonResearch access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.