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answers and questions, until at length the attendant came to dress and boot the king. The same thing happened when the king called for his horse, spurs, bridle, saddle, sword and other things. Now all being prepared with some trouble and difficulty, the king changed his mind, and said he would not ride out; but he desired the prince to go through the city, carefully observing everything worthy of notice, and on his return to give his father his opinion of what he had

seen.

The prince set out, accompanied by the royal suite and the chief nobility. Trumpets, cymbals and other instruments preceded this brilliant cavalcade. After going through only a part of the city he returned to the palace. When the king desired him to relate what most arrested his attention, he said:

"I observed nothing, sire, but the great noise caused by the cymbals and trumpets."

A few days later the king sent for his second son, and commanded him to attend very early next day. He then gave him the same orders

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AFTER THE KING WAS FULLY DRESSED HE ASKED FOR HIS SWORD

that he had given his older brother, but with somewhat more favorable results.

Again, after some days, he called for his youngest son. Now this young man came to the palace very early, long before his father was awake, and waited patiently until the king arose, when he entered his chamber with that respect which became him. his clothes that he might dress.

The king then desired him to bring

The young prince begged the king to tell him which clothes, boots and other things, so that he could bring all at the same time. He would not allow the attendant to assist him, saying that, if the king permitted him, he would feel highly honored, and was willing to do all that was required.

When the king was dressed he requested his son to bring his horse. Again the son asked what horse, saddle, spurs, sword and other things he desired to have; and as he commanded, so it was done, without further trouble or annoyance.

Now when all was ready, the king, as before, declined going. But he requested his son to go, and to take notice of what he saw, so that on his

return he might relate to him what he thought worthy of notice.

In obedience to his father's commands, the young prince rode through the city, attended by the same escort as his brothers. But no one knew what object the king had in view. As the prince rode along, he desired that they would show him the interior of the city, the streets, and where the king kept his treasures, and what was supposed to be the amount thereof. He inquired where the nobility and people of importance in the city lived. After this he desired that they should present to him all the cavalry and infantry, and these he made go through their drills. He then visited the walls, towers and fortresses of the city, so that when he returned to the king it was very late.

His father desired him to tell him what he had seen. The young prince replied that he feared giving offense if he told him how he felt about the things he had observed. Now the king commanded him to relate everything, if he hoped for his blessing. The young man replied that although

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