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your curiosity," says the lovely queen, “till we arrive at your father’s court, where I am now ready to accompany you, and where I will relate my unheard-of misfortunes. Come, see, the carriage waits.’’ So saying, she gave her hand to the prince, who led her into a chariot, the inside of which was fine velvet, set with brilliants, the outside gold; and the horses’ harness was made of emeralds.
Away they flew, and were presently at he gates of the king’s palace, where the two eldest princes were already arrived with their two princesses, in fine calashes of blue, embossed with gold. The courtiers crowded to present these three illustrious couples to the king. The two eldest princes with their ladies advanced first, and were received very graciously by the monarch, who declared they had brought him two such beauties, that he knew not to which he should give the preference; but the moment the youngest approached with his queen, both full of grace and dignity, the king cried out in ectacy, “This is the incomparable beauty, whose worth and excellence claims and deerves my crown!”———“I came not to rob you of your crown,” answered the discreet queen; “I was born heiress to six kingdoms. Give me leave to present one of them to you and one to each of your sons; for which I
